Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho made a gesture of apology to the Old Trafford faithful after a Juan Mata goal gave his side a 1-0 victory against Manchester City in the EFL Cup.
Mourinho was contrite in his programme notes for the game as he said sorry to United fans following the embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Chelsea on Sunday and he continued that approach as he left the field on Wednesday night.
Lifting four fingers to the crowd at the Stretford End and then bowing was evidence that he was still in reflective mood after the Chelsea battering on a night when his team ran out worthy winners.
Both sides' need for a win added intrigue to an already mouth-watering derby, with Pep Guardiola's men unable to eke out victories in their last five matches and United keen to bounce back after a few days of fierce criticism.
City were a far cry from the side that had at times lit up Old Trafford last month, but that was little surprise given the main protagonists were absent as the Spaniard plumped for nine changes.
Mourinho made a comparatively restrained four alterations to the side humbled at Stamford Bridge, although neither team was able to get a first-half shot on target as they struggled for attacking fluency.
Willy Caballero impressively tipped a Paul Pogba strike on the post when United first threatened after half-time, but the City goalkeeper was unable to prevent Mata sweeping home minutes later.
United held on to knock out the reigning champions and secure Mourinho just his fourth win against Guardiola, which will surely put a smile on the Portuguese's face after he spoke of his troubles living alone in a Manchester hotel.
The result means Guardiola is now on a six-game winless run for the first time in his career.