Ruben Amorim is the first Manchester United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson to win his first Manchester derby.
Image credit: OneFootball
In a thrilling Manchester derby on December 15, 2024, Manchester United staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
City initially took the lead in the 36th minute through a header by Josko Gvardiol. However, United equalized in the 88th minute with a penalty converted by Bruno Fernandes, awarded after Matheus Nunes fouled Amad Diallo.
Just two minutes later, Diallo secured the victory for United with a composed finish over Ederson, following a precise through-ball from Lisandro Martínez.
This win marks a significant turnaround for United under manager Rúben Amorim, who has now guided the team to four wins, one draw, and two losses in their last seven matches.
Key Moments:
Gvardiol’s Header: A powerful header from Gvardiol put City ahead in the first half.
Late Penalty: Fernandes equalized in the dying minutes with a penalty after a foul on Diallo.
Diallo’s Winner: The game was sealed with Diallo’s clinical finish in the 90th minute.
How It Happened
The match kicked off with high energy, as City quickly took control of possession. Despite being without key players like Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji, City created several chances, with Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden being particularly threatening.
However, they failed to capitalize on their opportunities. In the 20th minute, Doku’s cross found Foden, but his volley missed the target.
United also had their moments, with Diallo flagged offside twice. City continued to apply pressure, and in the 36th minute, Josko Gvardiol’s header from a Kevin De Bruyne cross put City ahead. However, as the game progressed, City’s defense grew increasingly nervous, leading to crucial errors.
In the closing stages, United became more attacking, and in the 88th minute, Bruno Fernandes equalized from the penalty spot after a foul on Diallo. Just two minutes later, Diallo seized the opportunity to score the winner following a poor backpass from Matheus Nunes.
Reactions
Pep Guardiola expressed frustration after the match, acknowledging that the team’s lack of composure cost them. “We don’t play with composure. The results are not good. We have to be more careful, especially in the box,” he said.
Bernardo Silva was visibly upset with the team’s performance, saying, “We totally deserved what happened. We made stupid decisions, and you pay the price in games like this.”
Did You Know?
- Ruben Amorim is the FIRST Manchester United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson to win his first Manchester derby.
Conversely, City’s defeat exacerbates their recent struggles, leaving them with only one victory in their last eleven games. The loss also leaves City six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Notable Absentees
The match was notable for the absence of United’s Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, who were not included in the matchday squad due to selection issues.
Despite their absence, United’s late surge demonstrated resilience and tactical acumen, while City will need to address their recent form to remain competitive in the league.