ESPN FC Battle of Manchester
Jan 16, 2026
European football journalist Julien Laurens shares insights ahead of the Manchester Derby, analyzing winning strategies for a United side under Michael Carrick. He discusses Manchester City's transfer market moves, including the impact of new signings like Gehi on their title push. Julien also delves into the turmoil at Real Madrid following the sacking of Xabi Alonso, evaluating potential managers who might work with star player Mbappé. Plus, a lively preview of the AFCON final featuring Senegal and Morocco wraps up the discussion.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Set Up To Frustrate City
- Michael Carrick should set Manchester United up to frustrate and deny space rather than try to play toe-to-toe with Manchester City.
- Form United into predictable passing zones, press together, then hit City on quick transitions to exploit defensive weaknesses.
New Signings Create Immediate Lift
- Manchester City's recent signings and form create momentum that can produce a 'new player' or 'new manager' bounce effect.
- That lift helps City maintain unbeaten runs and manage rotation across senior players.
A Wrong Call On Semenyo
- Alejandro Moreno admitted he advised Semenyo to go to Manchester United but was proven wrong as Semenyo thrived at Manchester City.
- Moreno praised Semenyo's impact and acknowledged Stevie Nicol was right about the player's fit at City.