Manchester United pulled off a stunning comeback victory against their fierce rivals Manchester City, winning 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on December 15. The match, part of the 16th round of the English Premier League, saw City initially take the lead but succumb to late pressure from United.
City opened the scoring on 36 minutes, with Joško Gvardiol finding the back of the net from a corner kick. His header sent the home crowd wild and seemed to set the stage for what many anticipated to be a comfortable win for the reigning champions.
Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Manchester City struggled to capitalize on their lead as the match progressed. United began the second half slowly and found themselves under constant pressure from their opponents, who aimed to extend their lead.
Bruno Fernandes, who had been relatively quiet during the first half, emerged as the hero for United. With just two minutes left on the clock, Fernandes scored from the penalty spot after Amad Diallo was fouled by Nunes inside the box. This equalizer turned the match on its head, injecting life back to the visitors.
But the drama was far from over. Just moments after Fernandes’ goal, Diallo made another impactful play. Latching onto a through ball from Lisandro Martínez just before the 90-minute mark, Diallo managed to outpace the City defense, slipping the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Ederson to clinch victory for United. The away fans erupted as their team completed a remarkable turnaround.
Manchester United’s win is considered particularly significant as it marks their first victory against City since last season, and it could serve as a pivotal moment for the team under new manager Ruben Amorim, who is still working to turn things around for the club this season. Currently, United sits 12th on the Premier League table with 22 points, whereas City finds themselves fifth with 27 points.
The outcome of the match raises questions about City's recent form, as they have struggled with consistency, winning just three of their last ten matches. After the game, Pep Guardiola expressed disappointment, stating, "I am not good enough to lead this team to victory. We need to reassess and improve our performances moving forward." His words reflect the pressure he faces after this outing and the necessity of regaining form as they move forward through the season.
The next fixtures will be important for both teams. City will visit Aston Villa on December 21, hoping to regain momentum. Meanwhile, United will host Bournemouth on December 22, aiming to build on this morale-boosting win.
This match serves not only as a reminder of the fierce nature of local derbies but also of the unpredictability of football, where fortunes can change within moments. For United, this victory could be the catalyst they need to forge their path back to the top of the Premier League rankings.
