The Manchester Derby seemed destined for mediocrity, thanks to both teams' horrible run of games heading into the fixture. However, it turned out to be exciting, all thanks to some late heroics.
Amad Diallo was the unexpected hero, single-handedly turning the tide for Manchester United in a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium. The 22-year-old's performance turned around what looked like another disappointing night for the Red Devils into a memorable win.
For 85 minutes, the Manchester United vs Manchester City match appeared to be heading in City's favor, with Josko Gvardiol's first-half header giving the home side a slender lead. United were struggling to create meaningful chances and were looking like they would resign to defeat until the closing minutes of the derby.
Diallo's Intervention
Diallo first won a penalty after exposing Matheus Nunes' defensive vulnerabilities. Bruno Fernandes then stepped up and coolly converted, leveling the score in the 88th minute. With new life already injected into United's performance, Diallo's magic shone again. He received Lisandro Martinez's perfectly weighted long ball, flicking the ball over Ederson and calmly slotting it between two City defenders.
New manager Ruben Amorim would relish the win as he made a bold decision to drop big names like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. His faith in Diallo was spectacularly vindicated, with the young forward becoming the catalyst for United's dramatic turnaround.
For Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, they face another low point in their season. The reigning champions now sit fifth, nine points behind Liverpool, with just one win in their last 11 matches across all competitions.
Looking Ahead
Thanks to the Amad Diallo winner, the victory gives some hope to Manchester United, providing a potential turning point under Amorim. For Guardiola's men, the pressure continues to mount, with serious questions being asked about their title defense and the team's current form.
Next up for United is a League Cup quarter-final against Tottenham, followed by a Premier League clash with Bournemouth. On the other side of Manchester, City will look to recover when they pay a visit to Aston Villa.