In a thrilling conclusion to the Manchester derby, Manchester United stunned rivals Manchester City with a late comeback, securing a 2-1 victory after being down 1-0 for most of the match. Bruno Fernandes equalized from the penalty spot in the 86th minute, and Amad Diallo struck the winning goal just moments later, transforming what seemed like a lost cause into a memorable win for the new United regime under manager Ruben Amorim.
This dramatic turnaround raises questions about Manchester City’s current struggles, as the four-time defending champions continue to experience a series of unfortunate events this season.
Here’s a detailed look at the player ratings from both teams:
**Manchester City Ratings:**
– **Ederson:** 6 – Was left exposed on both United goals.
– **Kyle Walker:** 6 – Had a quiet game with minimal defensive demands.
– **Ruben Dias:** 6 – Lacked urgency, allowing Diallo to score the decisive goal.
– **Josko Gvardiol:** 7 – Scored City’s opening goal but missed a critical clearance.
– **Ilkay Gundogan:** 6.5 – Controlled midfield with impressive passing.
– **Bernardo Silva:** 6 – Underperformed with very few touches.
– **Kevin De Bruyne:** 6 – Struggled to impact the game due to United’s tactics.
– **Jeremy Doku:** 6 – Had a minimal impact on the game.
– **Phil Foden:** 6 – Inactive in the attacking third.
– **Matheus Nunes:** 5 – Involved in conceding a penalty.
– **Erling Haaland:** 6 – Had a quiet game with limited touches.
**Substitutes:**
– **Mateo Kovacic:** 6.5 – Provided energy and a scoring opportunity after coming on.
– **Jack Grealish, Savinho:** N/A – Too little time on the pitch to assess.
**Manchester United Ratings:**
– **Andre Onana:** 6 – Made a couple of saves, slightly more effective than Ederson.
– **Matthijs de Ligt:** 6.5 – Solid at the back, contributing to United’s defense.
– **Harry Maguire:** 6 – Key in defensive actions with multiple interceptions.
– **Lisandro Martinez:** 6 – Had a crucial early response against Haaland.
– **Manuel Ugarte:** 6.5 – Solid defensive contributions.
– **Bruno Fernandes:** 7 – Browned under pressure yet still found a way to score.
– **Noussair Mazraoui:** 6.5 – Worked tirelessly throughout the game.
– **Diogo Dalot:** 6 – Contributed defensively despite a missed opportunity.
– **Amad Diallo:** 8 – Became the hero with a penalty and a winning goal in the closing moments.
– **Mason Mount:** N/A – Left due to injury early on.
– **Rasmus Hojlund:** 6 – Involved less frequently than desired.
**Substitutes:**
– **Kobbie Mainoo:** 6 – Held the ball well, contributing defensively.
– **Joshua Zirkzee, Antony, Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelof:** N/A – Limited impact in short appearances.
The comeback not only highlights the resilience of Manchester United under Amorim’s management but also serves as a point of reflection for Manchester City, who must rectify their form going forward. While United celebrates this victory, City will need to learn and adapt quickly to avoid further slips in the league. This match could be a turning point for United as they strive to return to their winning ways.
In summary, the Manchester derby was electrified by an unexpected late-game twist, demonstrating the unpredictability of football and rekindling hope for Manchester United supporters. As both clubs move ahead in the season, the unfolding narrative will be one to watch closely.