Manchester City vs Manchester United Report
Scorers: Gvardiol 36’; Fernandes (P) 88’, Diallo 90’
Manchester United produced a stunning late show to overturn a 1-0 deficit and defeat defending Premier League champions Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo in the final minutes left City reeling and extended their miserable run to just one win in 11 matches across all competitions.
First Half: City Capitalise on United’s Inertia
The Manchester Derby began tentatively, with both sides showing signs of their recent struggles.
A subdued opening saw little attacking intent from either team, with misplaced passes and cautious possession dominating proceedings. Manchester United suffered an early setback when Mason Mount was forced off with an injury, further stifling their creativity.
City, buoyed by their home support, broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark. From a short corner routine, Kevin De Bruyne delivered a pinpoint cross that deflected perfectly for Joško Gvardiol, who rose unchallenged to head home.
The goal marked the eighth United have conceded from corners this season – a glaring weakness for Ruben Amorim’s side.
United’s response was lacklustre, failing to register a shot on target in the first half for the second time under Amorim. City, though ahead, did not look entirely convincing, with their own attacking patterns lacking fluidity.
Second Half: United Battle Back
The second half saw a slightly improved United performance, with Amad Diallo leading the charge.
The Ivorian’s header from a Bruno Fernandes cross forced Ederson into action, though clear-cut chances remained elusive. City, on the other hand, appeared content to sit back and protect their slender lead, leaving the door open for a United resurgence.
The game’s turning point arrived in the 74th minute when Rasmus Højlund played Fernandes through on goal, but the United captain spurned the chance, sending a chip wide.
Højlund was then at the centre of a controversial moment when he was brought down in the box by Rúben Dias, but VAR deemed it insufficient for a penalty.
Late Drama: United’s Heroics
With time running out, United capitalised on City’s complacency. A disastrous backpass from Matheus Nunes was intercepted by Amad, who was fouled in the box by the City midfielder.
Fernandes stepped up and confidently converted the penalty to level the score in the 87th minute.
The equaliser injected new life into United, and just minutes later, they completed the comeback. Lisandro Martínez delivered a sublime ball over the top, finding Amad in behind the City defence.
The winger showed composure beyond his years, taking the ball around Ederson before slotting into the empty net to spark wild celebrations among the away fans.
Implications
For Manchester United: This result breathes life into Ruben Amorim’s tenure, ending a five-match winless run in the league and keeping them within touching distance of the European places. It also restores belief ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
For Manchester City: Pep Guardiola’s side are now nine points off the pace in the title race, and questions about their form and mentality will only intensify. Their defensive frailties and lack of creativity in attack are areas that urgently need addressing.
What’s Next?
- Manchester United: Amorim’s men face a tricky home clash against high-flying Newcastle United, where they will look to build on this momentum.
- Manchester City: Guardiola’s team will aim to regroup in their next league game against Brighton & Hove Albion, needing a win to halt their alarming slide.
This Manchester Derby will live long in the memory of United fans as a display of resilience and determination, while City will be left pondering how they let a crucial victory slip away in the final moments.
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Man City v Man Utd, 2024/25 | Premier League