Manchester United intensified the struggles of their local rivals, Manchester City, with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, in the 16th round of the English Premier League.
Manchester City initially took the lead with Josko Gvardiol’s goal in the 36th minute. However, United mounted a late comeback, scoring two quick goals through Bruno Fernandes (from the penalty spot) and Amad Diallo in the 88th and 90th minutes.
As a result, City remains at 27 points in fifth place, while United advances to 22 points, sitting in 12th place.
Guardiola left many surprised by positioning Matheus Nunez as a left-back in his (4-1-4-1) formation, while his counterpart Amorim opted to leave Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho out of the United squad.
The opening minutes saw both teams exchanging possession, but neither side managed to create any significant threats on goal during the first 10 minutes.
United suffered an early setback when Mason Mount was injured, forcing coach Amorim to make a substitution in the 14th minute, bringing on Kobe Mainoo in his place.
The game remained uneventful until just before the half-hour mark, when City had their first real opportunity. Phil Foden unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but it sailed over the crossbar, missing the right post.
Minutes later, Diaz connected with a corner kick, but his header went high over the goal. Ugarte then seized on a loose ball from the City defence, sending a shot wide of the target from the edge of the area.
Amad Diallo also tested City’s goalkeeper Ederson with a dangerous low shot, but it drifted just past the right post.
City eventually broke the deadlock with a well-placed corner kick. Josko Gvardiol rose above the defenders to meet the ball, heading it into the far left corner, with Onana unable to do anything but watch as it flew into the net.
Mainoo attempted to capitalize on a rebound with a low shot aimed at the far right corner, but Ederson made an excellent save. Onana then thwarted De Bruyne’s attempt to extend City’s lead, denying a long-range shot with a crucial save.
Foden tried his luck again, dribbling past a United defender before firing a powerful shot from the edge of the area towards the far left corner. However, Onana’s brilliance kept the ball out, deflecting it for a corner kick, as the first half ended with City leading 1-0.
The second half began similarly, with the opening minutes passing without much action, until United threatened. Diallo met a cross with a header aimed at the far right corner, but Ederson reacted swiftly, pushing the ball away from his goal.
United’s defence failed to clear the ball from a dangerous area, allowing Haaland to pressure and win possession. The ball fell to De Bruyne just outside the box, but he couldn’t find the target, sending his shot over the crossbar.
Bruno Fernandes had a golden opportunity after Højlund sent him a through pass, putting him one-on-one with Ederson. However, the Portuguese midfielder lifted the ball over the Brazilian goalkeeper, narrowly missing the left post.
Foden then had his chance, striking the ball from the edge of the penalty area, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Nunez made a crucial mistake when he played a short backpass to Ederson, but Diallo intercepted it just before the goalkeeper could reach it. Ederson rushed out of his goal to challenge, but Nunez attempted to make amends by bringing down Diallo inside the box, prompting the referee to award a penalty.
Fernandes stepped up to take the spot kick, coolly placing it to the right of Ederson, who dived to the left, levelling the score just two minutes before the end of regular time.
As City struggled to regroup after the equalizer, United stunned them with a second goal. Diallo capitalized on Ederson’s advance, lifting the ball over the keeper and slotting it into the net as City’s defenders failed to clear it before it crossed the line.
