United Beyond Manchester

Manchester United needed someone to step up to avoid a loss at the Etihad. Enter Amad Diallo, who, with a late penalty win and stunning finish, flipped the match on its head to earn three points for the Reds.

Match Flow

In the 12th minute of the match, Mason Mount went down with his latest injury. The attacking midfielder felt something in his leg and immediately signaled to come off. Kobbie Mainoo replaced the 25-year-old, forcing Amorin into an early change.

United yet again conceded on a set-piece in the 36th minute. Josko Gvardiol headed the hosts into the lead off of a Kevin De Bruyne cross. While the ball in was deflected, there is no excuse for a Manchester United team to be bottom of the Premier League at defending set-pieces.

Early in the second half, United began to grow into the match. The best chance early came when Amad Diallo had a great header pushed wide by Ederson.

Moments after Amad’s chance, a penalty appeal was inexplicably denied when Ruben Dias brought down Rasmus Hojlund. Dias missed the ball in his tackle and took Hojlund out inside the box.

Bruno Fernandes should have leveled for the Reds in the 74th minute. Brilliant play in attack led to a clipped Fernandes effort, but the captain flashed the shot wide.

The United captain made up for his earlier miss by finishing off a spot-kick earned by Amad Diallo. Matheus Nunes played a poor ball back to Ederson that Amad intercepted. The Ivorian cut back, forcing Nunes to bring him down while trying to atone for his error. Fernandes sent Ederson the wrong way to make it 1-1.

Two minutes later, Amad Diallo provided the Reds a shock winner with an incredible finish. Lisandro Martinez played a fantastic ball over the top that Diallo touched past Ederson, then slipped past the retreating City defenders to complete the comeback for Ruben Amorim.

Quick Match Points

Set pieces remain a serious issue for Manchester United. Josko Gvardiol scored with a header in the first half, meaning opposing teams have scored four goals in the last three Premier League matches off of corners. Something has to change, as the City goal nearly was the difference in the Derby.

Amad Diallo has become unstoppable and is the engine of this Manchester United team under Ruben Amorim. Today, Amad completed five dribbles. Every time the Ivorian winger picks the ball up, he drives at defenders, making them uncomfortable and taking United into dangerous positions. He created the penalty converted by Bruno Fernandes and scored a historic winner to take Manchester United within five points of their crosstown rivals.

Next Match

Manchester United travel to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face the Spurs in the Carabao Cup Quarterfinals on Thursday. The Reds won the competition two years ago under Erik ten Hag and will aim to progress and win it under Ruben Amorim.