From SI · · 2m
Carrick vs Maresca: three meetings, one derby
Two managers, two tiers, and a Manchester derby that flipped the record between them.
In brief
Two managers, two tiers, and a Manchester derby that flipped the record between them. Carrick still leads the head-to-head 2-1, but Maresca won the one that mattered most, with 10 men. Originally reported by SI.
A derby without Pep
Guardiola stepped down at Manchester City at the end of last season, so the Manchester derby ran without him for the first time in ten years.
Maresca takes the City job
Guardiola's former assistant, fresh from Chelsea, arrived at Old Trafford unbeaten in his Premier League start as City head coach.
A familiar face opposite
Carrick had faced Maresca before, but never in the Premier League and never while managing Manchester United.
First meeting: November 2023
Middlesbrough hosted Leicester City at the Riverside in the Championship. Carrick's side won it 1-0.
Greenwood's goal of the season
Sam Greenwood curled a long-range free kick into the top corner in the 83rd minute. Boro fans later voted it their goal of the season.
Everything else was ugly
The rest of that match was scrappy: 33 fouls committed and seven players booked.
Second meeting: February 2024
At the King Power, Boro beat Leicester again, this time 2-1, for Carrick's second straight win over Maresca.
Two up, then a scare
Finn Azaz and Sam Silvera put Boro 2-0 up before half time. Jamie Vardy pulled one back in the 85th minute, but Boro held on and climbed to 11th.
Maresca won the war
Losing to Boro twice barely dented Leicester. They stayed top all season, won the Championship and went up to the Premier League.
Foden sees red
In the 2026-27 derby, Foden tangled with Bruno Fernandes near the touchline, Fernandes kicked his backside, and Foden's two-legged retaliation into the stomach got him sent off in the 23rd minute.
Haaland with his only shot
City spent 70 minutes a man down and still won 1-0. Haaland smashed one in at the back post in the 60th minute, his single shot of the game.
Maresca shut off the transitions
Going down to 10 forced a rethink, and City used it to strangle United's best weapon.
“They are unbelievable in transition, and the moment we went to 10 men we didn't give them any transition.”
The record so far
Carrick 2 wins, Maresca 1, no draws. Carrick's teams have scored three goals to Maresca's two across the three meetings.
What matters most
Carrick still leads the head-to-head 2-1, but Maresca won the one that mattered most, with 10 men.
