Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim’s first Manchester derby was a proper occasion, and it took a fantastic turn for the visitors late thanks to Amad Diallo and some atypically poor play from Man City.
How will Ruben Amorim view his first derby? He was happy before the comeback, and said he felt the winner coming once the equalizer arrived to the Etihad Stadium.
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The Portuguese boss saw his team properly defend but again concede from a corner, even if it took a deflection off Kevin De Bruyne’s cross for Josko Gvardiol to beat Andre Onana.
And the Red Devils at one point looked to have blown a chance to earn a point, as Rasmus Hojlund cued up an excellent chance for Bruno Fernandes only to see the United captain’s shot bound wide of the far post.
Instead, Amad Diallo won an 88th-minute penalty that Bruno Fernandes buried to tied the game, and Diallo then cooked up a 90th-minute winner.
So what did Amorim say?
Ruben Amorim reaction — Manchester United manager on incredible comeback win in first Manchester derby
“I think for everyone, with just three points, we have a lot to do but it’s massive for one fans. It’s the same game until the 85th minute. Our conversation would be so much different without the two goals, but the performance was the same. I think we deserve it. It was a good day for us.
“You can feel it that we were near to score. We improved our speed when we make our runs and we had some opportunities. We controlled Haaland and the other guys of City very well. When we scored the first one, you feel it in the team. They wanted more, and congratulations to the lads.”
“When this game finished, I remembered one week ago in the storm. We were 3-1 down at Nottingham at home. I always keep that feeling for these days to not get carried away. These three points, we need a lot. But we did a great job.”
On being the first one down the tunnel: “It’s more the problem with Mason Mount. You go in the tunnel and you think right away because we have a lot of games.”
On Amad: “It was also work with Erik that brought it out of that kid, and then with Ruud. All the players fit in my system if they want. They are talented.”
On Rashford and Garnacho missing: “New week, new chance... It’s the same for everybody. In this next week if they train well, like the others, they will play or be on the bench because it’s really important. It was not discipline. It’s something that we have to improve our standards as a club, outside the pitch, inside the pitch. It was just a normal week.”
Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo reaction
Fernandes on Amad: “He’s been doing well, great things. There’s still a lot to come from him. We believe what he’s made of, and he showed it again. He’s been brilliant but I don’t want to say much. We need him at this level because when he’s like this he’s unstoppable.”
“He’s not of many words in good. He speaks more in French and Italian than in English. I just want him to keep working. This is great but he can do this every week. He’s been here a while and he’s now getting his chances. He’s working hard and results are here.”
Amad on the occasion: “It was noisy and obviously in the first half we tried to score but in the second half we pressed good. We wanted to win. This is derby. This is how you have to play to win. ... I want to thank God for this [goal].”
Fernandes on Amorim’s tenure: “It’s a process that we know what he demands from us. ... The manager expects it from everyone.”
