Lisandro Martinez Reveals Michael Carrick's Dressing Room Message Before Manchester Derby

Lisandro Martinez has detailed what Michael Carrick said in the Manchester United dressing room ahead of their 2-0 win over Manchester City.

It has been a week to remember for Carrick, who was announced as United's caretaker head coach on Tuesday following the departure of Ruben Amorim.

The 44-year-old and his staff were met with the daunting task of trying to overcome an in-form Manchester City, a team that boasted a 13-game unbeaten streak coming into the derby.

However, his side delivered an inspired performance at Old Trafford, with second-half goals from Bryan Mbuemo and Patrick Dorgu sealing United's first victory of 2026.

"I think today was special," Carrick said in his post-match interview with Sky. “I think we wanted to play well today. We wanted to put things into the game that we felt would help us do that."

Lisandro Martinez also spoke about how United pulled off one of their best performances in months, and revealed what Carrick said to inspire his players.

"One important thing Michael Carrick said was: use the energy of the people," Martinez said in his post-match chat. "Today I think we did it. When we are together it is impossible to lose at home.

"We know how we've suffered during the season but the only way is showing face and showing who we are."

Martinez added: "This was the best moment to do it. The team, not just the players on the pitch, but also on the bench, everyone was part of that."

The Argentine was full of praise for his teammates. "When you play against this kind of players, the team defends. Not just one or two players. Today we defended so well," he continued.

"We were so compact all the time and then you have the confidence to go the duels. You feel today a different energy in the eyes of the players. Today the team won, that's the most important thing for me."

Michael Carrick's tactical change spotted in Man City win

Carrick and his coaching staff have already implemented some "clear and simple principles" in his first week as United's interim manager, according to tactics writer Aaron’s Analytics.

4-2 build-up from goal kicks, but you can see how easily it shifts into a 2-3-5, with Amad drifting inside and Dalot holding the right wing.

Carrick has implemented clear, simple principles in a short time.

Proof you don’t need months to make visible changes. pic.twitter.com/CgGwBq5cem

— Aaron's Analytics (@Aaronsanalytics) January 17, 2026

Speaking in his post-match interview, Carrick said his team must now learn how to produce such performances on a more consistent basis.

"That's the challenge ultimately and I think it needs to be a version of normal," Carrick said. "Certainly we're not going to have games with the emotion and the feeling of everything that today brought.

"I think we all understand that, but there's definitely levels of standards and expectations that we need to live up to from ourselves as much as anyone on the outside. I'm fairly aware of that.

"Consistency is the key to any success, and if you can find that then you're on to a winner. So that's our challenge, we've got to find a way of doing that.

"It's a big one next week, obviously, another tough one, but on the back of today we've got a good foundation to build on."

United will face Arsenal in their next Premier League match on January 25.