Carrick’s First Real Test: Derby Day, Haaland & Foden
Haaland and Foden’s unstoppable scoring streak vs Manchester United threatens to escalate rivalry in upcoming derby clash. What’s next?
When a Manchester derby hits the Premier League schedule, an electric buzz always follows, particularly when Old Trafford is the stage. This weekend, Manchester United will host Manchester City in matchday 22, promising another fierce clash between the city rivals.
United, currently seventh with 32 points, aim to overturn their 3-0 defeat from the season’s earlier derby, where City asserted dominance. The visitors sit second, trailing leaders Arsenal by six points and eager to tighten the gap.
Michael Carrick steps in as United’s new manager after Ruben Amorim’s departure, taking charge for this vital encounter. The former Red Devils captain faces the daunting task of containing one of their fiercest challenges: the scoring partnership of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.
Both players have been remarkably effective against United, with a fascinating link between their scoring patterns. Before Haaland’s Premier League arrival, Foden hadn’t scored in seven trips to Old Trafford. But since the Norwegian’s debut season, Foden has bagged seven goals—all in matches where Haaland also got on the scoresheet.
Haaland himself boasts eight goals in Manchester derbies, while Foden has netted seven. Their powerful connection was on full display in their first derby together, an unforgettable 6-3 win at the Etihad in October 2022, where each scored a hat-trick.
After two goalless derbies, the duo sparked back into life in October 2023. City secured a 3-0 win at Old Trafford, courtesy of Haaland’s brace and a goal from Foden. The tables turned in March 2024, with Foden scoring twice and Haaland adding one to seal a 3-1 home victory.
They then endured a four-derby drought without goals—until the latest showdown, where City again dominated 3-0, with Haaland netting twice and Foden adding another.
Their clinical performances have etched both into derby folklore. Foden now matches club legends Dennis Viollet and Paul Scholes with seven goals in the fixture, while Haaland’s eight place him alongside icons like Eric Cantona and Bobby Charlton.
If Haaland finds the net next Saturday, he could join Sergio Aguero, whose nine goals against United (eight in the league, one in the FA Cup) still set the bar.
The scoring leaderboard features:
- Wayne Rooney: 11 goals
- Francis Lee & Joe Hayes (Manchester City): 10 goals each
- Sergio Aguero: 9 goals
- Erling Haaland, Eric Cantona, Bobby Charlton: 8 goals
- Phil Foden, Dennis Viollet, Paul Scholes: 7 goals
How quickly Haaland and Foden climb this list remains to be seen. But given their uncanny scoring consistency and perfect symmetry against United, it’s only a matter of time before they make history in this historic fixture.
