Manchester United’s Dramatic Late Comeback Piles Further Misery on Pep Guardiola and Manchester City

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Amad Diallo made a stunning late impact as Manchester United scored twice in the final two minutes of a largely uneventful Manchester derby, delivering a dramatic finale that added to Pep Guardiola and Manchester City’s woes.

City appeared to be cruising towards a routine and uninspiring victory, courtesy of Josko Gvardiol’s first-half goal. However, with time running out, Matheus Nunes gifted possession to Diallo, who surged towards the City goal.

Diallo seemed to have been pushed out wide and away from danger by goalkeeper Ederson, but Nunes recklessly body-checked the young winger inside the box. This handed Bruno Fernandes the opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot, which the United captain converted confidently.

In the final minute of normal time, City’s defensive frailties were exposed once again. Lisandro Martinez launched a long ball that split the defenders, leaving Ederson hesitant about advancing. Diallo controlled the ball with precision, rounded the floundering goalkeeper, and volleyed home in extraordinary style.

The late drama highlighted the struggles both Manchester clubs are facing this season. City initially took the lead in the 36th minute in scrappy fashion. A short corner between Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan ended with a deflected cross that found Gvardiol, who rose impressively to guide his header past Andre Onana.

It was the Croatian defender’s fourth league goal of the campaign, making him City’s second-highest scorer behind Erling Haaland—a statistic that underscores the team’s current issues.

While City’s problems are evident, United’s struggles are far greater. Manager Amorim’s side showed slightly more intent in the opening stages, but the decision to drop Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho left their attack devoid of firepower and creativity.

Despite the subdued atmosphere, the derby had brief moments of tension. After Gvardiol’s goal, Kyle Walker fouled Rasmus Hojlund, sparking a confrontation that saw both players booked. Yet, this altercation paled in comparison to the fierce encounters of previous years.

Phil Foden remained a bright spot for City, coming close to doubling their lead with a deflected effort, but overall, neither Haaland nor Hojlund managed a touch in the opposition penalty area during the first half—a telling sign of the lack of quality.

United also suffered an early blow when Mason Mount limped off injured, further compounding their difficulties. However, City’s inability to capitalise left the door open for a dramatic turnaround.

In the second half, United slowly grew into the game. Diallo tested Ederson with a well-placed header following Fernandes’s cross, forcing the City goalkeeper into a fine save. United also appealed for a penalty when Hojlund went down under Ruben Dias’s challenge, but referee Anthony Taylor and VAR dismissed the claims.

The best chance for an equaliser came in the 74th minute when Fernandes broke free through Hojlund’s incisive pass. However, with only Ederson to beat, he lifted his effort wide of the post. Fortunately for the United captain, he would later redeem himself.

City’s defensive collapse in the final minutes was remarkable, and the late goals not only earned United a vital victory but also exposed City’s vulnerability and lack of resilience.

Player Ratings

Manchester City (4-1-4-1): Ederson 5; Walker 5, Dias 5, Gvardiol 7, Nunes 4; Gundogan 7 (Savinho 88); Silva 6, De Bruyne 6 (Kovacic 67, 5), Foden 6, Doku 5 (Grealish 76, 5); Haaland 5.

Substitutes not used: McAtee, Muamba, O’Reilly, Ortega, Simpson-Pusey.

Manchester United (3-4-3): Onana 6; de Ligt 6 (Yoro 78, 5), Maguire 7, Martinez 7; Mazraoui 6 (Antony 78, 5), Ugarte 6, Fernandes 7, Dalot 5; Diallo 9, Hojlund 6 (Zirkzee 78, 5), Mount 5 (Mainoo 13, 5).

Substitutes not used: Bayindir, Casemiro, Eriksen, Malacia, Lindelof.

Referee: A. Taylor 7.

Manchester United’s resilience will offer some encouragement to their fans, but both clubs must find solutions to their respective struggles as the season progresses.