Manchester United produced a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Manchester City in the latest installment of the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, with late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo securing the win. The match had been largely controlled by City until the closing stages, with United struggling under the tactical setup of new head coach Ruben Amorim.
The match saw Josko Gvardiol give City the lead with a close-range header in the 36th minute, following a corner. The goal appeared to offer Pep Guardiola’s team a strong position, as United had not been at their best and were once again underperforming in their new system. At the half-time break, City looked set to win only their second match in their last 11 games across all competitions, while United had shown few signs of breaking down City’s defense.
However, a dramatic turn of events unfolded in the final minutes of the match. The turning point came after a costly mistake from City’s Matheus Nunes. The Portuguese midfielder tried to pass the ball back to goalkeeper Ederson, but the pass was far too short. As Nunes attempted to recover from his error, he collided with Amad Diallo, resulting in a penalty for United. Bruno Fernandes confidently stepped up and sent Ederson the wrong way, converting the penalty to make it 1-1 with just four minutes remaining.
The drama didn’t end there. In the dying seconds of the match, Lisandro Martinez played a brilliant through ball to Amad Diallo. The Ivorian forward then produced a remarkable piece of skill, flicking the ball over Ederson’s head before scuffing a finish into the far corner of the net, narrowly avoiding the retreating Gvardiol. The late strike sealed a sensational 2-1 win for United, completing a stunning turnaround.
The victory was vital for Manchester United, who had struggled in recent weeks under Amorim’s system, and the win also highlights City’s recent struggles. For Pep Guardiola’s team, the loss means they’ve now dropped five of their last seven Premier League games, leaving them nine points behind leaders Liverpool.
The match also saw impressive individual performances, with Bruno Fernandes earning an 8.6/10 rating for his leadership and penalty conversion, while Amad Diallo’s goal secured him an 8.7/10 rating. Lisandro Martinez’s role in the comeback was also crucial, contributing both defensively and with his vital assist for Diallo’s winning goal. In contrast, United’s attacking struggles were reflected in the lower ratings for players like Mason Mount (6.2/10) and Rasmus Hojlund (6.6/10), while defenders such as Martinez and Harry Maguire received solid ratings, with Maguire earning 7.3/10.
City, on the other hand, despite leading for most of the match, were unable to hold on, and their recent form will be a concern for Guardiola, who has seen his team falter in several matches this season.