Manchester City secured bragging rights over their bitter rivals Manchester United with a 1-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium during the latest iteration of the historic Manchester derby on December 15, 2024. The clash saw City leaning on their competitive edge, as they faced off against United under the management of Ruben Amorim, who is still trying to find his feet after replacing Erik ten Hag.
City came off the back of a disheartening week, suffering two disappointing results, including being held to a draw against Crystal Palace and losing to Juventus, raising concerns about their chances of advancing to the Champions League knockout stages. Despite these results, the home side entered the match determined to change their fortunes. The match kicked off amid gloomy weather, but inside the stadium, anticipation and tension filled the air.
Fans and commentators alike noted the high stakes of the derby, with both teams seeking a much-needed boost. Both Pep Guardiola’s side and United have underperformed this season, with City managing only one win from their last ten games across all competitions. Meanwhile, United was placed dangerously low, languishing at 13th on the table. Many observers were especially focused on City’s defensive issues, as they were forced to make adjustments due to injuries and absences.
One of the most talked-about decisions from Amorim was deciding to omit key players Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the matchday squad entirely. Amid speculation, Keane suggested it might be time for Rashford to leave United, opining, “A move for Marcus would suit the player – a new challenge for him,” reported by Sky Sports. Amorim explained, “Everything is on the line when we analyse and try to choose the players. I don’t want to send a message. It's simply an evaluation.”
From the get-go, both teams exhibited great intensity. The opening exchanges were nervy, with City initially taking charge of possession but struggling to slice through United's organized defense. It wasn’t until the 37th minute when City finally broke the deadlock. Josko Gvardiol scored the opener with his head from a set piece, converting Kevin De Bruyne’s deflected cross. Gary Neville noted, “United’s record against corners has been awful,” emphasizing United’s continuing vulnerability.
United struggled to register any meaningful attempts on goal during the first half. A first shot came from Ugarte, which flew over the bar but was quickly interrupted by yellow cards for Hojlund and Walker after a heated exchange. These moments added to the derby's intensity, which the fans expected but hadn’t quite seen enough of on the field.
At halftime, the score rested at 1-0 to City, but the match was largely characterized by missed opportunities and lack of quality. Despite the tension, much of the play lacked dynamism, and both sides seemed hesitant. The second half commenced with United appearing more determined to find their equalizer. Phil Foden had several promising moments, with one shot almost putting City two up just before halftime, but time slipped away.
Defensive setbacks again haunted United as they found themselves scrambling to regain composure. The team’s fragility grew apparent, particularly when dealing with set pieces, where City seemed to have found their advantage. Fans could only hope the second half would provide more fireworks as emotions ran high and players clashed once again, reminiscent of past derbies.
The match-up also spotlighted the challenges for Amorim. With two consecutive league losses preceding the derby, the pressure was on to turn the tide. Former United player Roy Keane commented on Walker’s rather theatrical response during the match, infusing some humor amid the frustrations of fans. “The players are nowhere near the level expected or needed,” he said, urging for stronger performances.
The atmosphere at the Etihad was electrifying, even if the football on display was sporadic. United, missing the incisiveness of Rashford and Garnacho, fought valiantly but failed to create enough clear-cut opportunities. The match did spark some hope as they showed signs of life early on the second half, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Despite the apparent struggles for form and injuries plaguing both teams, supporters remained hopeful for their squads. There was talk leading up to this derby about whether or not either side could find the resilience necessary to claim pride, glory, and points. Guardiola expressed appreciation for the rivalry, noting, “We know the meaning of this fixture to all our fans. Myself and the players feel it too.”
When the referee blew the final whistle, City walked away with three valuable points, leaving United with more questions than answers. The victory not only improved City’s standings but also intensified the scrutiny surrounding Amorim’s managerial decisions as United’s season continues to struggle for consistency.
With the derby completed, eyes will turn to how both managers will address their teams' performances going forward. For Guardiola, the win will serve as a much-needed morale boost, whereas Amorim has more pressing issues to resolve as United seeks stability and improvement moving forward.
