Ruben Amorim’s last triumph against Manchester City, back in November with Sporting in the Champions League, marked the beginning of a crisis for the reigning Premier League champions. That loss was City’s third consecutive defeat. Fast forward to his latest act of tactical sorcery, Amorim, now at Manchester United, has compounded Pep Guardiola’s misery.
The Manchester derby ended with United snatching a 2-1 victory, leaving Guardiola and his faltering City side in unfamiliar territory—eight losses in their last 11 matches across all competitions.
For much of the game, it appeared as though City would secure a desperately needed win. Josko Gvardiol’s first-half header had given them the lead, and United lacked any bite in attack. Yet in a stunning finale, Amorim’s United roared back, fueled by a talismanic performance from Amad Diallo.
The turning point came late, with Amad capitalizing on a defensive calamity from City. Matheus Nunes, deputizing at left-back, misjudged a back-pass, allowing Amad to draw a rash foul. Bruno Fernandes coolly dispatched the penalty for the equalizer. Moments later, Amad struck again, showcasing sublime control to beat Ederson with his first touch before volleying past a scrambling Gvardiol on the line.
City’s dominance in recent derbies at the Etihad—three straight league wins with 13 goals—was reduced to anguish and disbelief. The insecurities that now plague Guardiola’s squad were laid bare.
A Clash of Struggles
The buildup to the derby was tinged with an unusual sense of unease. Both teams came in under a cloud of struggles, reflected in Guardiola’s uncharacteristic candor on Friday. The City manager admitted fears of losing his dressing room—a startling confession for a team that was unbeaten in all competitions just weeks ago. Even Guardiola’s diet has become a casualty of the stress; he revealed he’s sticking to soup for dinner as his stomach churns.
United’s challenges, meanwhile, are rooted in Amorim’s need to overhaul the team’s style on limited time. The Portuguese manager made bold decisions ahead of the game, omitting Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the squad—a statement underpinned by concerns over their recent performances in training.
The Game’s Turning Points
Amorim’s tactical adjustments were pragmatic. Deploying Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot as wing-backs and positioning Amad Diallo as a right-sided No. 10 gave United defensive solidity while retaining attacking options. Harry Maguire anchored the back three, and United sought to exploit space behind City’s defensive line. Manuel Ugarte nearly set Amad through in the 26th minute, only for the offside flag to nullify the opportunity.
City’s opener came from a familiar Achilles’ heel for United—set-pieces. Kevin De Bruyne’s deflected cross looped perfectly for Gvardiol, who headed home unchallenged. Defensive lapses from Dalot and Rasmus Højlund made the goal all too easy.
The game was marred by controversies, including Kyle Walker’s theatrics after a clash with Højlund. Both players were booked, but Walker’s attempt to draw a red card was farcical.
Amad’s Star Turn
Amad Diallo emerged as the star of the show, embodying Amorim’s vision for United’s future. He tested Ederson with a header and continually probed City’s makeshift backline. His persistence paid off late in the game, ensuring United fans had a new hero to celebrate.
A Catalyst for Change?
For City, the defeat raises profound questions about the depth and resilience of their squad. Injuries to key defenders like Manuel Akanji and Nathan Aké forced Guardiola into unorthodox solutions, such as using Nunes as a full-back. Meanwhile, United hope this dramatic win can serve as a springboard for Amorim’s nascent project.
The road ahead for both teams looks challenging, but for now, it’s Amorim who walks away with a momentous victory, leaving Guardiola and City searching for answers amid an unprecedented slump.
