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Carrick Makes Perfect Start as Man United Outclass Man City 2–0 at Old Trafford
Manchester United handed Michael Carrick a memorable debut as interim manager on Saturday with a convincing 2–0 Premier League victory over Manchester City, a result that significantly dented the visitors’ title ambitions.
United dominated the derby at Old Trafford and were unfortunate not to be out of sight earlier, having three goals ruled out for offside and repeatedly denied by an outstanding performance from City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The breakthrough eventually arrived in the final 25 minutes, when Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu found the net to seal a statement win.
Mbeumo marked his return from the Africa Cup of Nations with a composed finish for the opener, before Dorgu wrapped up the points to secure just United’s second league win in eight matches. The result propelled Carrick’s side into the top four and was also warmly received in north London, where Arsenal moved closer to a first league title in 22 years. Mikel Arteta’s team could stretch their lead at the summit to nine points with victory over Nottingham Forest later in the day.
Carrick’s selection gambles paid off. In-form forwards Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha were left out to accommodate the returning Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, while Harry Maguire made his first start in two months. The defender nearly marked his return with an early goal, thundering a header against the crossbar from Bruno Fernandes’ corner inside two minutes.
City arrived depleted at the back, with injuries forcing Pep Guardiola to deploy the inexperienced pairing of Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov at centre-back. The makeshift defence struggled throughout and relied heavily on Donnarumma, who produced a series of crucial saves, including an early stop from Dorgu.
The Italian goalkeeper was beaten twice before half-time, but both Diallo and Fernandes were flagged offside after rounding him. Guardiola attempted to shift the momentum at the interval with the introduction of Nico O’Riley and Raya Cherki, yet City continued to labour as their winless league run extended to four matches since the turn of the year.
Donnarumma kept City alive with a superb double save from Diallo and Casemiro shortly after the hour, but United finally capitalised when Cherki’s poorly taken free-kick sparked a swift counter-attack. Fernandes’ incisive pass released Mbeumo, who drove a low finish beyond the goalkeeper.
Cunha, introduced from the bench, played his part again as United doubled their lead. Dorgu exploited a lapse in concentration from Rico Lewis to steal in at the back post and finish decisively.
With the contest effectively settled, Guardiola withdrew Erling Haaland late on, seemingly conserving energy with City still involved in multiple competitions. Diallo came close to adding a third when he struck the post in the closing moments, while Mason Mount had a goal ruled out for offside with his first touch.
By the final whistle, City’s title push had suffered another damaging setback, while Carrick was left to savour a triumphant return to the Theatre of Dreams, having delivered a derby victory that could prove pivotal in United’s season.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a new round of appointments and promotions with immediate effect, as part of efforts to strengthen governance and enhance institutional performance in the state.
The development was announced in a statement released on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle has been appointed as the Acting Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board. Matawalle, a retired permanent secretary, previously served in a similar role and also held office as the board’s executive secretary. He was described as a seasoned administrator who rose through the civil service ranks from Assistant Secretary to Permanent Secretary before retiring in 2014, after eight years in the position. The statement noted his strong track record in the effective management of Hajj operations.
Governor Yusuf also approved the promotion of Yusuf Mukhtar to the rank of Permanent Secretary.
In another appointment, Barrister Rahama Malam Alhaji was named Provost of the Kano State Anti-Corruption Institute. She was praised as an accomplished legal practitioner with over seven years’ experience spanning litigation, corporate law, electricity law, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution. The statement highlighted her professional background across both public and private sectors, including her time at the Kano Electricity Distribution Company and her role as Head of the School of Law at Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria. She holds a Master of Laws degree in International Law and was credited with pioneering initiatives such as the establishment of a Law Clinic and a Student Bar Association.
The governor further approved the promotion of veteran Kannywood actress Aina’u Ade from Special Assistant to Senior Special Assistant on Kannywood Affairs, citing her impressive performance and dedication in her previous assignment.
The statement said the latest appointments and promotions reflect the administration’s resolve to reinforce governance structures and ensure the efficient management of public institutions. Governor Yusuf urged the beneficiaries to justify the confidence reposed in them through diligence, transparency and unwavering commitment to the Kano First Agenda.
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has issued a public alert over a fraudulent LinkedIn account impersonating its Director-General, Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa, urging Nigerians to disregard and report any communication linked to the fake profile.
In a statement released on Saturday by the Institute’s Media Consultant, Mr Sam Eferaro, NIMR disclosed that the impostor account has been sending misleading messages to unsuspecting individuals, falsely offering procurement opportunities, contracts and other business-related engagements.
According to the statement, the attention of the Institute was drawn to the existence of the fake LinkedIn profile posing as the Director-General, adding that all messages emanating from the account are entirely fraudulent.
NIMR cautioned members of the public against engaging with any messages purportedly sent by Professor Obafunwa through LinkedIn or other unofficial platforms, particularly those soliciting business dealings or financial commitments.
The Institute further emphasised that all legitimate interactions with vendors, contractors, partners and the public are conducted strictly through recognised and official institutional channels, in line with established public service procedures.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has dismissed calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria demanding the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made concerning genocide.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN described the demand as unfounded and unjustifiable, stressing that Prof. Amupitan, like every Nigerian, is constitutionally entitled to express opinions on matters of national interest, regardless of his public office.
The Fellowship maintained that the remarks attributed to the INEC chairman had no link to his official duties, noting that they were unrelated to elections or electoral processes, which fall within the scope of his professional responsibilities.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a citizen of Nigeria, has the right to speak on issues he perceives as affecting the nation, irrespective of his appointment or position,” the statement said.
PFN further condemned suggestions that the INEC chairman should be removed on the basis of personal views expressed outside his official mandate, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent where public officials are penalised for holding or expressing independent opinions.
The organisation also cautioned against interpreting national discourse through religious perspectives, arguing that such an approach risks deepening societal divisions and threatening peaceful coexistence.
“We must guard against profiling individuals or judging them based on religious considerations. Prof. Amupitan has the right to express his views, and this should not come at the expense of his office,” the statement added.
The Fellowship urged stakeholders to exercise restraint and mutual respect in addressing sensitive national issues, emphasising that unity, fairness, and peaceful engagement must remain central to public discourse.
PFN reaffirmed its commitment to justice and national cohesion, calling on Nigerians to uphold democratic values in responding to differing opinions on matters affecting the country.