Ruben Amorim has addressed the absence of Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford from Manchester United’s squad for the crucial match against Manchester City. This decision came as United pulled off a dramatic 2-1 victory over their fierce rivals in a thrilling Manchester derby.
Initially, it seemed like City would clinch a third consecutive league victory when Josko Gvardiol’s header put them ahead. However, the tide shifted dramatically thanks to the exceptional performance of Amad Diallo, who played a pivotal role in United’s last-minute win. After drawing a foul from Matheus Nunes, who had made a costly error in passing, Bruno Fernandes converted the resulting penalty in the 88th minute. Just moments later, Diallo scored again with a brilliant finish from a challenging angle, completing a stunning turnaround.
City’s performance continues to decline as they’ve now suffered eight defeats in their last 11 matches, raising concerns for Pep Guardiola’s side as they struggle to find form. Despite staying fifth in the table, they are now nine points behind league leaders Liverpool, having played one more match.
On the other hand, Manchester United’s victory brings a glimmer of hope as they look to climb out of the bottom half of the table, now sitting with 22 points. Fernandes expressed relief after the game, highlighting Diallo’s potential and stating that when he performs at this level, he is “unstoppable.”
The match began unattractively for both teams, with United failing to register a shot on target during the first half. Amorim had to adapt his tactics early on after Mason Mount exited due to injury. City’s persistent struggles continued as they managed only one shot on target in the second half.
Midfielder Bernardo Silva did not shy away from expressing his disappointment, acknowledging the team’s errors that led to their defeat. “We totally deserved what happened,” he remarked after the game, pointing out the need for better decision-making in crucial moments.
Celebrating the victory, Diallo summarized the team’s pressing focus and determined spirit, suggesting that this win could be a catalyst for future successes. “We showed today we can win every game and we are very happy to win today,” he said, emphasizing the need to maintain this momentum for upcoming matches.
This unexpected triumph against Manchester City could indeed revive United’s season, paving the way for a brighter festive period ahead. Fans will hope this victory serves as a turning point as the team seeks to build on this success in their subsequent fixtures.