Manchester United produced a thrilling late comeback to defeat Premier League champions Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad on Sunday, deepening their rivals’ ongoing crisis.
Defending champions City, who had won only once in their last 10 games before the match, seemed poised for a much-needed victory when Josko Gvardiol’s towering header gave them the lead in the 36th minute.
Kevin De Bruyne’s deflected corner set up the goal, exposing United’s recurring struggles with set-piece defending.
However, Ruben Amorim’s side refused to fold under pressure. Despite an injury setback that saw Mason Mount limp off in the 12th minute, United weathered City’s dominance for much of the match.
The first half ended with United failing to register a single shot on target, while City looked to double their lead through Phil Foden, whose deflected effort narrowly missed the mark.
The second half saw a more spirited United, though chances remained scarce. Amad Diallo’s header in the 60th minute forced a fine save from Ederson, signaling United’s growing intent.
Bruno Fernandes then squandered a golden opportunity to equalize in the 75th minute when his attempted chip drifted wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
City’s undoing came through a series of costly defensive errors. Matheus Nunes’ weak backpass gifted Diallo a chance, prompting a desperate foul from the midfielder to deny a clear opportunity.
Fernandes stepped up and calmly slotted the resulting penalty, sending Ederson the wrong way in the 87th minute.
Moments later, a long ball over the top from Lisandro Martinez caught City’s defense napping.
Diallo, showcasing incredible pace and composure, rounded Ederson and fired home from a tight angle to seal the dramatic victory for United.
The result marked only Amorim’s second Premier League win since taking charge last month but could serve as a turning point in a season plagued by inconsistency.
The victory lifts United to 12th in the table, narrowing the gap to their city rivals to just five points.
For Pep Guardiola’s City, the defeat raises further concerns. The reigning champions remain in fifth place, nine points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand. With eight losses in their last 11 outings, the team’s struggles have raised questions about their title defense and overall form.
Amorim’s bold tactical decisions, including leaving Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho out of the squad, were vindicated in a derby that showcased resilience and discipline.
The result not only reignited United’s hopes of salvaging their season but also underscored the unpredictable nature of the rivalry between these two Manchester giants.
As the festive fixtures approach, both teams face significant pressure to find consistency in what has been a rollercoaster Premier League campaign.
