MANCHESTER — Ruben Amorim grabbed a famous win for Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium, scoring twice after the 88th minute to stun Manchester City with a 2-1 win on Sunday.
[ MORE: Player ratings | 3 things | Amorim reaction | Pep reaction ]
Josko Gvardiol gave City the lead with a towering header, but two Amad Diallo-inspired defensive errors put more thorns into Pep Guardiola’s side.
Both Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim named surprising teams for the derby, with Rashford and Garnacho both left out of the Man United squad causing huge headlines.
Bruno and Ruben sounding the right notes, making the right moves
There will be more bumps in the road, for sure, but right now Ruben Amorim is playing the rebuilding of a monstrous club the right way and has a captain who is backing him on the field and off. Yes, Bruno Fernandes missed a would-be equalizer before seizing his chance from the spot, but he’s also leading the team in a way United — and Amorim — can appreciate. For years we’ve heard Fernandes sound the right notes about the size of United and the expectations of pulling on that shirt. But it’s ended up feeling like lip service as United’s players and coaches dropped the ball. Now when Fernandes talks about accountability and going game-by-game, it rings true coming off Amorim’s big decisions like leaving Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho out of the squad. Bruno spoke of Amad Diallo’s prowess in two post-match interviews on Sunday, and both times he made sure to mention that Diallo must reach his potential to do it every game — once with Diallo standing next to him and about to collect his Man of the Match trophy. That’s a Man United we remember from Alex Ferguson’s days. And maybe, just maybe, Amorim can give the Red Devils their best chance yet to be that club again.
What’s next?
Man City’s off to Aston Villa at 7:30am ET Saturday, while Man United have a League Cup quarterfinal at Tottenham on Thursday before hosting Bournemouth at 9am Sunday.
How to watch Manchester City vs Manchester United live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11:30am ET, Sunday (December 15)
Venue: Etihad Stadium — Manchester
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Manchester City vs Manchester United final score: 2-1
Gvardiol 36', Bruno Fernandes pen 88', Amad Diallo 90'
Manchester City vs Manchester United live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright at Etihad Stadium
Amad Diallo goal! — City 1-2 United (90th minute)
City throw it away!
Lisandro Martinez spots Diallo’s long run, and he’s through on goal.
Diallo flicks the ball over the onrushing Ederson, then passes toward the goal line from an acute angle.
Gvadriol whiffs on his back heel clearing attempt, and remarkably it’s over the line!
Manchester United Penalty! Bruno Fernandes goal! — City 1-1 United (88th minute)
Huge mistake!
Matheus Nunes plays a half-speed back pass to Ederson and Amad Diallo is going to be 1v1 with the keeper.
Ederson plays him wide, but Nunes comes screaming in and dots Diallo on the leg.
Diallo goes down. Bruno Fernandes goes to the spot. It’s 1-1!
Three more subs
De Ligt, Mazraoui, and Hojlund come off for Leny Yoro, Antony, and Joshua Zirkzee.
Less than 10 minutes for United to rescue a point. — NM
Agonizingly close from Bruno Fernandes
Oh, there it was!
Rasmus Hojlund sends Bruno Fernandes between Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
Fernandes looks up and sees Ederson, dinking the ball past him and toward the far post.
It just bounds wide! 75'. —NM
Kovacic on for De Bruyne
After a long run forward to close down Onana, you could see Kevin de Bruyne was struggling. He’s still working his way back to full fitness. Mateo Kovacic is on and that should shore things up for City in midfield.
No penalty!?
Bit of a surprise there as Hojlund holds the ball up, Dias clips him and Hojlund goes down in the box. No penalty kick given. Seems like Dias was lucky there. It’s starting to get a bit nervous inside the stadium. United are improving.
Good stop from Ederson to deny Diallo
A great cross into the box finds Amad Diallo and his header is creeping in but Ederson tips it wide. United are improving. Amorim is urging them push forward more when they’re on the ball.
Tight start to the second half
Once again, tight and tense. United having a bit more of the ball but not doing a lot with it. It’s all very slow and nervous from United on the ball. City aren’t much better, but they can afford to let United have the ball and try to pick them off on the counter.
Half time: Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United
City lead at half time and that is probably about right. They’ve looked the more threatening and United haven’t really got going in attack, but were well in that first half. Both teams look fragile but a bit of luck on the cross that led to Gvardiol’s header is the difference. Relief in the air at the Etihad among the home fans. For now.
🚨 Half time thoughts as it’s Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United here. Tight. Tense. All still to play for.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) December 15, 2024
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Here are 3 things we’ve learned so far as we focus on the second half ⤵️ #MCFC #MUFC pic.twitter.com/xn8SpmYdiB
Foden goes so close
Right on half time Foden wriggles free like a slippery eel and his low shot is just deflected by Maguire and Onana gets a touch too to make sure it goes wide.
Walker, Hojlund kicking off
Both Walker and Hojlund are booked, as Walker catches Hojlund and then Hojlund reacts angrily. As they come together Walker goes down pretending to be head-butted. Nobody wants to see that. From the free kick United almost scramble a shot home but it’s deflected wide.
Gvardiol heads home a deflected cross! - Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United
There’s the opener! Kevin de Bruyne plays a short a corner and it comes back to him. His cross deflects off Amad Diallo and loops up perfectly for Gvardiol to power home a header. City’s fans go wild. Relief is the main emotion here.
Diallo misses a glorious chance... but he was offside
First big chance of the game as Amad Diallo is slipped in. He’s clean through and sends Ederson the wrong way... but also puts the ball past the near post. He can’t believe it but luckily for Diallo he was just offside. Great positioning from Diallo again.
Dias heads a corner over
City starting to crank up the pressure and a corner into the box sees Dias head over from close range. Before the corner came in Hojlund and Haaland were wrestling and the Man United forward was lucky not to give a penalty away there.
Slow start from City
This has all been very slow and safe from Manchester City. No real zip in the final third. Manchester United crowding central areas well. Foden fizzes a low shot wide after a cross was cleared. All quite comfortable for United. So far.
Mainoo on for Mount
Kobbie Mainoo is on for Mason Mount, who has picked up another injury. The English midfielder has lasted just 12 minutes of the Manchester derby. Mainoo is on in holding midfield alongside Ugarte and Fernandes has pushed forward to play as one of the No. 10’s.
Even start at the Etihad
De Bruyne whipped in a cross towards Haaland which was cleared for a corner which came to nothing. Dalot clipped in a cross which Ederson gathered easily at the other end. All very tight and very even so far.
👋 Welcome to the Manchster derby! Manchester City vs Manchester United. Both desperate for a win. Great atmosphere. Big storylines.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) December 15, 2024
WATCH LIVE + analysis, videos, reaction & more ➡️ https://t.co/3fDxorxmvP
Here are 3 things I’m hoping to see today ⤵️ #MCFC #MUFC pic.twitter.com/ZtSCpwOJV7
Rashford, Garnacho left out of United’s squad
Well, well, well, what a decision this is from Amorim. Both Rashford and Garnacho have been left out of the 20-player squad. Amorim said it was purely a selection decision and explained the decision in full here. Is that it for Rashford and Garnacho at United? It did seem like they were the odd players out in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system...
Hello from Manchester! The rain has stopped and we are ready to party...
What a derby this promises to be. Can you remember a derby where we had no idea what was going to happen before? Me neither. Either United or City have dominated this rivalry but both teams are struggling heading into this game and anything can happen. United have picked up some surprise wins here in recent years, while the pressure is all on City to try and get back to winning ways and build some momentum.
Banner from the Manchester City fans towards Manchester United here at the Etihad. #MUFC #MCFC pic.twitter.com/O7C7w55OF3
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) December 15, 2024
Manchester City lineup
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Gvardiol; Silva, Gundogan; Doku, Foden, De Bruyne, Nunes; Haaland
Manchester United lineup
Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dalot; Diallo, Mount, Hojlund
Manchester City team news, focus
City are really suffering with defensive injuries. With Rico Lewis suspended, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Kyle Walker are the only three defenders they have left, with youngster Jahmai Simpson-Pusey set to start. In midfield the trio of Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva and Kevin de Bruyne should get the nod, with Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish and Savinho all battling to start ahead of them. Phil Foden remains a doubt, while Erling Haaland is doing his best up top but isn’t getting anywhere near the amount of chances he usually gets.
OUT: Rodri (knee - out for season), Rico Lewis (suspension), Nathan Ake (thigh), John Stones (ankle), Oscar Bobb (lower leg) | QUESTIONABLE: Manuel Akanji (abductor)
Manchester United team news, focus
Amorim has tried pretty much his entire squad in his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation and some players have looked better than others in adapting to it. Amad Diallo has been a real positive and will be a threat on the counter in this game, while the duo of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have shown flashes of brilliance but are having issues playing in a more central role. Amorim keeps changing his center backs but Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez should start as the three center backs but don’t be surprised if youngster Lenny Yoro gets the nod. In attack Rasmus Hojlund will be supported by Bruno Fernandes and one other (Rashford, Garnacho, Zirkzee or Mount) as Ugarte and Mainoo have the holding midfield roles locked down.
OUT: Luke Shaw (foot) | QUESTIONABLE: Jonny Evans (knock)
Manchester City vs Manchester United prediction
This should be chaos as both teams are struggling to defend well at the moment. United are dangerous on the counter and City keep giving up big chances on the transition. That all points to goals galore. Go for a draw. Manchester City 2-2 Manchester United.
Manchester derby last 10 results
August 10, 2024: Man United 1-1 Man City (City won penalties) - FA Community Shield
May 25, 2024: Man City 1-2 Man United - FA Cup final
March 3, 2024: Man City 3-1 Man United - Premier League
October 29, 2023: Man United 0-3 Man City - Premier League
June 3, 2023: Man City 2-1 Man United - FA Cup final
January 14, 2023: Man United 2-1 Man City - Premier League
October 2, 2022: Man City 6-3 Man United - Premier League
March 6, 2022: Man City 4-1 Man United - Premier League
November 6, 2021: Man United 0-2 Man City - Premier League
March 7, 2021: Man City 0-2 Man United - Premier League
Manchester derby head to head results
This is the 195th Manchester derby.
Man United lead the all-time series with 79 wins, while Man City have 54 wins and there have been 61 draws.
Manchester City vs Manchester United preview
Pep Guardiola and City have shown glimmers of a recovery in recent weeks but have still won just one of their last 10 games in all competitions as they lost 2-0 at Juventus in the Champions League in midweek. They remain eight points off leaders Liverpool, who have played a game less. There is a long way to go for the four-time reigning champs to be considered title contenders again but it’s hard to rule them out given their incredible quality in attack. Their poor defensive form this season has been caused by constant injuries and individual errors, with their 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace last weekend highlighting their particular fragility on the counter.
MORE — Manchester derby lineups: Who will start for City, United?
Ruben Amorim suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats heading into this game, with United losing 3-2 at home to Nottingham Forest last weekend. That defeat highlighted United’s poor defending from set pieces and Amorim is doing his best to change their formation, style of play and mentality all while playing three games in a week. Nobody thought the young Portuguese coach would turn things around quickly, including him, but the magnitude of the job Amorim has to perform to turn United back into top four contenders is perhaps starting to dawn on him. They are on 19 points, eight points behind City.
