Manchester United stuns Manchester City with two late goals

The 195th Manchester derby delivered a thrilling conclusion as Manchester United scored two late goals to defeat Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. In a match that seemed destined to end in a City victory, Ruben Amorim's side turned the tide with dramatic strikes from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo, leaving Pep Guardiola's team reeling.

City’s early dominance

Manchester City started the game on the front foot, determined to bounce back from their recent struggles. Their efforts were rewarded in the 36th minute when Josko Gvardiol rose above the United defense to powerfully head home a pinpoint Kevin De Bruyne cross, giving City a deserved 1-0 lead. With a composed first-half performance, City appeared in control as they headed into the break.

United’s fightback begins

After halftime, City opted for a cautious approach, focusing on maintaining their lead rather than pushing for a second goal. Sensing an opportunity, United began to grow into the game, although their lack of creativity left them struggling to trouble City’s defense. The turning point came late in the match when Amorim made three substitutions that injected energy into United’s attack. In the 88th minute, Matheus Nunes clumsily fouled Amad Diallo in the box, gifting United a penalty. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and converted with precision, leveling the score at 1-1 and setting the stage for a dramatic finale.

Diallo’s late heroics

United refused to settle for a draw and struck again just two minutes later. Lisandro Martínez delivered a brilliant through ball that found Amad Diallo in space. With composure beyond his years, Diallo chipped the ball over Ederson and calmly finished into the empty net, completing United’s stunning comeback. City’s attempts to respond in the six minutes of added time proved futile, as United’s defense held firm. Guardiola and his players were visibly shell-shocked at the final whistle, their expressions mirroring the disbelief of the Etihad crowd.

A tough season for City

This defeat is the latest in a string of disappointing results for Manchester City, who have now won just one of their last eleven matches across all competitions. The reigning Premier League champions, who dominated English football for six of the last seven seasons, find themselves in an unfamiliar fifth place, nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Guardiola’s recent contract extension to 2027 has done little to stem the tide of poor performances, as injuries and confidence issues continue to plague the team.

United’s season remains challenging

Despite the victory, United still finds itself in a disappointing 12th place in the Premier League table. The derby win saw them leapfrog Tottenham Hotspur, but Amorim’s side has a long way to go to salvage their season. The manager’s decision-making, including the introduction of Joshua Zirkzee, Lenny Yoro, and Antony in the final stages, proved decisive in this match. However, the team’s inconsistent performances remain a concern. Mason Mount’s injury after just 15 minutes added to United’s woes, forcing Kobbie Mainoo into early action. Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui delivered solid performances in defense before being substituted late in the game.

A derby to remember

For Manchester United, this victory is more than just three points; it’s a morale-boosting win over their city rivals and a sign of progress under Ruben Amorim. For Manchester City, the loss deepens their crisis and raises questions about their ability to recover from a season that has quickly gone off the rails. The Manchester derby always delivers drama, but this one will be remembered for United’s resilience, Diallo’s brilliance, and City’s ongoing struggles to find their winning formula.