Amad Diallo’s Decisive Performance Secures Manchester United Derby Win, Highlighting Manchester City’s Confidence Issues and Ruben Amorim’s Managerial Stance

Published on 15 December 2024 Amad Diallo emerged as the standout performer in Sunday’s Manchester derby, with his determination and drive ultimately proving pivotal. Even before Manchester United’s remarkable late comeback victory at Etihad Stadium, Diallo had consistently been the most dynamic player throughout the match. He was the sole individual on the field who exhibited freedom and bravery in his play, and the only one from either team who appeared to be enjoying the game and actively seeking to influence it whenever he possessed the ball. Diallo recorded more touches within the opposition penalty area (10) than any other participant in Sunday’s Manchester derby. He also led all players in shots on target (2), successful dribbles (5), and sprints (26), and was tied for the highest number of total shots (10). While both teams displayed a largely cautious approach, Diallo’s distinct style eventually earned him recognition for his efforts. This came first by drawing the penalty that resulted in United’s equalizing goal, which shifted the match’s momentum, and then by scoring their winning goal moments later. Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty to level the score at 1-1. However, this opportunity arose because Diallo was sufficiently aware to anticipate Matheus Nunes’s misplaced back-pass and maintained his composure upon entering the City box. His unhurried approach led to Nunes committing a reckless challenge, conceding the penalty. This calm and confident demeanor characterized his entire performance, as he seemed intent on impressing his manager. His second goal mirrored this resolve. Again, City’s defensive organization should have been superior, as Lisandro Martinez was not pressured when he passed to Diallo, and Josko Gvardiol’s defensive line was positioned excessively high. This created a significant space for Diallo to exploit, and Nunes failed to track his run. Nevertheless, it required an extraordinary finish to guide the ball past Ederson and beyond Gvardiol, who completely misjudged his attempt to clear it off the line with a backheel. “Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United: Why ‘outstanding’ Amad Diallo was key to derby win” Manchester City might feel a degree of misfortune in their defeat, considering they held the lead until the 88th minute, yet they were ultimately responsible for this outcome. It appears that every error they make currently carries a high cost, but this defeat being “self-inflicted” refers less to individual mistakes and more to their overall strategy, which allowed United to gain confidence as the game progressed. City rarely exhibits the level of caution seen on Sunday, though United’s initial defensive posture and respectful approach were more understandable. Ruben Amorim’s side (Manchester United) initially fell behind due to another set-play, an area they are currently struggling with. However, as the second half advanced, there was a growing sense that they could salvage something from the match. They controlled possession for extended periods, their confidence grew, and they began creating scoring opportunities. Amad penetrated the right flank on a couple of occasions and narrowly missed with a header, while Fernandes sent a promising chance wide. By that stage, City’s anxiety and lack of conviction were palpable. A Pep Guardiola team has seldom been observed sitting so deep against an opponent, and this appears to be a matter of confidence rather than energy or fitness. They needed to advance further up the pitch and embrace more risks to secure the victory, but it seemed they lacked the self-belief to do so. Even their build-up play from the back, featuring more long passes than typically seen, indicated this reluctance. They were unwilling to play short and risk losing possession, given their narrow lead. “‘I am not good enough’ – Guardiola says he must find a ‘solution’ after derby loss” Even elite athletes can experience a dip in confidence, but witnessing it across the entire City squad is remarkably surprising. When they suffered a heavy home defeat to Tottenham a few weeks prior, they at least attempted to recover and challenge Spurs, only to be caught on the counter-attack. This time, their offensive contribution after half-time was almost non-existent. While they were leading against United, and it is sometimes understandable for teams to protect a lead with a more pragmatic approach, City might also have been influenced by their late collapse against Feyenoord. Such negative experiences can linger, but not to this extreme extent. They completely relinquished possession for most of the second half, and this occurred against a United side that was not considered particularly strong. This was a United team that, aside from Diallo, primarily aimed to contain City and, for two-thirds of the game, lacked significant attacking threat. Yet, City failed to finish them off at 1-0, and even worse, they did not even come close to doing so. This absence of creativity represents a significant challenge for City currently. While conceding goals is also an issue for them, this marks the first time under Pep Guardiola that they do not appear likely to score either. Consequently, he faces two critical areas to address, and it seems to be an immense undertaking for him, especially as he has no prior experience dealing with such a situation. “Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United: ‘Today was different’ – Ruben Amorim” In contrast, this result provides a substantial boost for Ruben Amorim, not solely because it will garner fan support and instill belief in his methods among the players. The most significant aspect is that, particularly with Diallo’s starring role, it validated his decision regarding Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. Regardless of whether one agrees with his choice to exclude them from Sunday’s squad, his explanation establishes a clear standard for the rest of the United team. It communicates that a player’s status is irrelevant; if they are not performing adequately in training, playing well enough, or conducting themselves appropriately around the club, they will not be included in his squad. This sends a powerful message to the players about the consequences of subpar performances, a message that his predecessor, Erik ten Hag, did not convey frequently enough. Therefore, in every respect, Sunday was an exceptional day for Amorim. It will be remembered as Diallo’s derby, but it could prove even more impactful for United’s manager moving forward. Danny Murphy was speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.