Old Trafford atmosphere returns as United beat Manchester City

Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-0 at Old Trafford in a performance described as the best victory of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s two years of minority ownership, with the owner present to see what John Brewin called Michael Carrick’s team playing “the football of yore”.

The report said United’s determination and aggression re-engaged supporters, producing an Old Trafford that rocked like it once did, when opposition teams “could not hear themselves think”. It added that the display is unlikely to be sustainable in the medium term because most opponents will not play City’s high-line, high-wire style.

The piece questioned whether that atmosphere can be replicated in the new stadium Ratcliffe has plans for instead of Old Trafford, noting Tottenham’s recent experiences as a cautionary example and asking rhetorically if Liverpool’s owners would cash out the Anfield experience. It concluded that while the match revived memories, the longer-term picture remains uncertain.

Key Topics

Sports, Manchester United, Old Trafford, Manchester City, Jim Ratcliffe, Michael Carrick