Man City v Man Utd analysis: Dynamic Diallo gets Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils rocking

Manchester United pulled off a dramatic late win in the Manchester derby on Sunday, piling the pressure on Man City boss Pep Guardiola and giving Ruben Amorim bragging rights.

Hosts City had led for most of the game following Josko Gvardiol’s looping header - but the Red Devils got the red side of Manchester rocking when Bruno Fernandes equalised from the penalty spot, setting the stage for Amad Diallo’s delicious dink and slotted finish.

Sports News Blitz’s resident Man Utd fan Robert Bore hastily rewrote his post-match analysis of the game, and revels in the glorious comeback victory which leaves United 13th in the Premier League - but only six points adrift of fourth-placed Nottingham Forest.

Favourite fixture

Ah, derby day. Once my favourite fixture of the calendar as an almost guaranteed six points per season but alas, time stands still for no man - and nowadays I'm more likely to reach for the valium rather than the victory.

From Keith Curle pointing Ryan Giggs his way to the top corner, or Andrei Kancheslskis scoring an Old Trafford hat-trick back in '94, the glory days were, well, glorious.

And with Man City seemingly spiralling out of control with what appears to be a combination of poor form, injury and age, a little bit of optimism didn't feel too out of place - especially with the visitors available at 9/2 pre-match.

That pre-match was dominated by the omission of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the matchday squad.

United boss Ruben Amorim made four changes to the side that came back to beat a second-rate Greek side in the Thursday Night Cup with two-goal hero Rasmus Hojlung starting.

And United started well, certainly not looking afraid of the occasion which, considering City's aforementioned shocking run, was about right.

But Amorim's game plan lasted just 14 minutes as Mason Mount once again couldn't last the pace and was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo.

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First shot in anger

Phil Foden had the first shot in anger, no surprise considering he'd scored six times in his last four league games of this fixture, but it was tamer than a drugged gerbil.

Amad Diallo, probably the liveliest of the visitors up to that point, saw his shot come back off the post but the flag was up - and this is where United are, where excitement has turned to fear, and anticipation is followed by a bit of loathing.

So it was no surprise when it happened, but not a surprise that it was from a corner.

There was an element of bad luck mind, Kevin de Bruyne's cross deflected off Diallo who had tried to block tackle the Belgian and the new flight of the ball appeared to wrong-foot the red shirts, landing plum for Josko Gvardiol to head home.

Death, taxes and goals from corners.

If this was the derby pot finally heating up, then it threatened to boil over soon after when Kyle Walker sent Rasmus Hojlund tumbling after the ball had gone much to the United man's chagrin.

On the deck

The free-kick was given as the Dane showed his disgust but despite heads coming together, there was barely a touch - although the England man dropped to the deck like he'd been floored by Tyson Fury.

Replays did their job but both were booked and I suspect even Walker's mum would have been embarrassed for him.

No changes at the break, 45 minutes for redemption.

Ten minutes in and City looked comfortable while United lacked creativity, Hojlund often crowded out on his own in the box and with little on the bench by way of dynamism, dare I say it, without Garnacho to turn to.

United's most dangerous player, Amad, almost levelled as he helped the ball on with his head from Fernandes' cross but Ederson got a hand to it for a corner. Finally, a bit of a spark.

Penalty shouts

There were shouts for a penalty when Ruben Dias cut across Hojlund but there was nothing doing.

De Bruyne fired over before departing the game for Mateo Kovacic as City shored up their middle - but United should have levelled with 16 minutes left.

Noussair Mazraoui did well to ride a couple of Jeremy Doku fouls before feeding Hojlund. He dropped a weighted ball in behind for Fernandes, who dinked Ederson but it was wide of the far post.

It was United's best chance so far and after three goals and three assists in Amorim's six games Fernandes had been the hot hand you'd have wanted the ball to fall to. Not this time.

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Deck shuffled

Amorim shuffled his deck. Antony, Zirkzee and Yoro were thrown on for Mazraoui, Hojlund and Matthijs de Ligt as time started to race and City started to sing their only song for a couple of bars. Mainoo headed wildly over but then, a lifeline.

Nunes left a pass back far too short and Amad raced onto it, cutting back into the box before Nunes scythed him down rashly.

Penalty. Over to Fernandes, was he still the hot hand?

Red hot as it happens. Calm and composed and to the right as Ederson went the wrong way.

Dare I think it, was there time for a winner? Two minutes on the clock.

To dare is to do. Ask Spurs (apparently).

Amad dares. He has dared every game since Amorim arrived and it was glorious.

Martinez sent a searching ball centrally over the top and Amad, stuttering his arcing run beautifully to stay onside, got there before Ederson, lifted the ball over the keeper and slotted through the defenders legs for the winner.

Red Devils redemption

It was as beautiful as it was unlikely only a few minutes before. It was the winner. It was Amorim's second victory over Man City this season. It was redemption.

I went to University with a lad who shared the same birthday and age as me.

We didn't live too far from one another and we didn't know each other before landing at the University of Central Lancashire. We even went to rival schools.

After graduating, we only ever spoke three times a year, birthday and derbies. It was a smug time for me back then.

So if you're somehow reading this Andy lad, I'm smug again, f*ck off old friend.

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