Amad Diallo delivered a stunning 90th-minute winner as Manchester United staged a dramatic late comeback to defeat Manchester City 2-1 in Sunday’s Premier League derby at the Etihad Stadium.
Trailing 1-0 after Josko Gvardiol’s first-half header, United clawed their way back when Bruno Fernandes equalized from the penalty spot in the 88th minute. Moments later, Diallo completed the turnaround, calmly flicking the ball past Ederson to secure victory and hand manager Ruben Amorim a memorable win in his first Manchester derby.
City fans expressed their frustration at full time, with boos echoing around the stadium. Pep Guardiola’s side extended their dismal run to just one win in their last 11 matches across all competitions, putting their Premier League title defense in jeopardy.
Key Takeaways from the Manchester Derby
Amad Diallo Emerges as United’s Star Performer
Amad Diallo, now fully fit, showcased his immense potential with a game-changing performance. The 22-year-old winger won the crucial penalty that leveled the score and then delivered the match-winner. His pace, creativity, and relentless energy have made him Amorim’s first choice in attack, relegating Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho to the sidelines. This performance signals the start of what could be a breakout season for Diallo.
Manchester City’s Confidence Continues to Crumble
City appeared on course for a much-needed victory but faltered late. Defensive errors gifted United their opportunities, and City’s inability to create chances in the second half highlighted their struggles. With Guardiola’s team now nine points behind league leaders Liverpool, the prospect of a fifth consecutive Premier League title looks increasingly unlikely.
Rashford and Garnacho’s Futures in Doubt
Amorim’s decision to drop Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the derby squad underscores a significant shift in United’s attacking priorities. Both players, reportedly informed via WhatsApp, trained separately on match day. Rashford, in particular, has been on the periphery under successive managers, and United are reportedly open to offers for him. January could see significant squad reshuffling as Amorim looks to reinforce other areas, including left back, central midfield, and center forward.
Elsewhere in the Premier League
Ismaila Sarr starred for Crystal Palace, scoring twice and providing an assist in a 3-1 victory over Brighton at the Amex Stadium. Trevoh Chalobah opened the scoring for Palace, with Sarr doubling the lead in the 33rd minute. Sarr added a second late in the match before Marc Guehi’s own goal gave Brighton a consolation. Palace’s win lifted them four points clear of the relegation zone, while Brighton’s winless run extended to four games.
