Manchester Derby Ends in United Comeback Victory
Manchester United pulled off a stunning late comeback to defeat Manchester City 2-1 this weekend at the Etihad Stadium, delivering a much-needed win for new manager Ruben Amorim and piling further pressure on Pep Guardiola’s struggling side.
What happened?
The game seemed destined for a City victory after Josko Gvardiol’s first-half header, but Amad Diallo’s heroics in the final minutes flipped the script. Diallo won an 88th-minute penalty after being fouled by Matheus Nunes, which Bruno Fernandes converted to equalize. Moments later, Diallo secured the win with a brilliant finish from a tight angle, leaving the home crowd in stunned silence.
City, who dominated the early stages, saw Phil Foden narrowly miss a chance to double their lead before halftime. Despite maintaining a high tempo early on, they struggled to create meaningful opportunities, with Erling Haaland effectively neutralized by United’s defense.
Guardiola, visibly frustrated on the sidelines, urged calm during the first half, but his team’s late collapse exposed their lack of composure. Nunes, playing out of position at left-back, was directly involved in the critical mistake that allowed United to equalize.
United’s performance for much of the match was equally uninspiring, with Fernandes squandering a clear opportunity to score earlier in the second half. But the introduction of Diallo in a more advanced role paid dividends as he took full advantage of City’s mistakes.
The victory highlights Amorim’s bold decision-making. The Portuguese manager dropped high-profile forwards Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the match-day squad, signaling a no-nonsense approach. While the game initially seemed to validate City’s superiority, Amorim’s late gamble with Diallo proved decisive.
Diallo’s star turn offers hope for United, who are still languishing in 13th place but seem to be finding their footing under Amorim. The win not only bolsters the team’s confidence but also gives fans a reason to believe in their new manager’s vision.
City continues to struggle
For City, the loss is symptomatic of their ongoing struggles. They’ve now won just one of their last 11 matches in all competitions, a shocking run of form reminiscent of pre-Guardiola days. The reigning champions remain fifth in the Premier League, nine points behind leaders Liverpool.
As City face mounting criticism and a growing gap at the top of the table, United’s victory signals a potential turning point in what has been a turbulent season for both clubs. For now, the red side of Manchester has a rare reason to celebrate.
