Manchester United pulled off a stunning upset against Manchester City with a dramatic 2-1 victory during the latest Manchester Derby on December 15 at the Etihad Stadium. Amad Diallo's late efforts, including winning and converting a penalty, secured United their first victory on enemy territory since 2021, much to the disbelief of the City faithful.
The match was set against the backdrop of mounting pressure on City, who had already lost eight of their last eleven games across all competitions. City's latest defeat left them fifth in the Premier League, trailing their rivals significantly.
United found themselves trailing for most of the match, after Josko Gvardiol's powerful header put City on the board just 30 minutes from kickoff. A set-piece move caught United off guard yet again, contributing to their growing reputation for defensive frailties. Despite dominating possession for significant stretches, City's failure to capitalize on opportunities led to their downfall.
Throughout the first half, City looked the more dangerous side, but they failed to expand on their lead. Phil Foden, returning to the lineup after illness, appeared poised to strike again after Gvardiol's opener but couldn’t find the back of the net. United's performance was initially characterized by complacency, with Diallo caught offside multiple times early on.
For United, injuries compounded their early struggles. Mason Mount was forced from the pitch just 13 minutes in, amplifying concerns about the club's depth. It wasn't until the dying moments of the match, with the score still at 1-0, when United began to show signs of life.
Managing their most important match, United's manager Ruben Amorim opted to bench star players Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, hoping for alternate strong performances from his squad. Initially, the decision appeared to be questionable, but his team focused on ensuring defensive solidity throughout the match.
When City seemed to have the match under control, United found the spark they needed. With less than four minutes remaining, Diallo capitalized on Matheus Nunes' backpass. Nunes, struggling to save face, clumsily fouled Diallo inside the box, gifting United their chance to equalize. Bruno Fernandes stepped up to take the penalty and coolly slotted it past City's goalkeeper Ederson.
Moments later, the energy shifted dramatically. Diallo, with poise and control, secured the victory for United, ensuring the team left with three pivotal points after his second goal just two minutes after the equalizer.
After the match, City manager Pep Guardiola took responsibility for the defeat, candidly admitting, "I’m not good enough. I am the boss, the manager; I have to find solutions and so far I haven’t.” Guardiola's frustration stemmed from the inability to maintain composure and control during the game, something he highlighted post-match.
City's midfielder Bernardo Silva echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the team’s decision-making, declaring, "we’re making stupid decisions and playing like under-15s." With this crushing defeat now prompting serious self-reflection within the squad, Silva recognized the need for unity and improvement.
The loss for City marks their fourth loss out of five recent encounters with their city rivals. This match also underscored serious issues, such as their over-reliance on Rodri, who is out for the season due to injury. Guardiola earlier indicated the importance of this player for City’s tactical framework.
Despite claims by pundits like Michael Owen, who noted the impact of missing key players on City’s form, the inability to secure wins against more prominent opponents has led to deep-seated concerns. United's triumph came at the perfect time, revitalizing their season after back-to-back losses against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, with fans hopeful Amorim can instill confidence and regain control of the scripts.
With the derby loss, City now faces the challenge of reclaiming their form as they prepare for upcoming fixtures and reclaiming their positioning within the Premier League standings. Attention turns to their next match; they will face Aston Villa, and the pressure will be on Guardiola to orchestrate solutions swiftly.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s victory could signify optimism moving forward—the team displayed grit and resilience, with supporters now rallying behind Amorim’s project.
The derby’s outcome serves as both a potential turning point and cautionary tale, emphasizing the precarious nature of football where fortunes can shift with mere moments of brilliance or blunders. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see each club’s response.
