The last time Ruben Amorim beat Manchester City in the Champions League with his former club Sporting, it pushed the reigning Premier League champions into crisis. It was early November and City lost for the third time on the spin.
As Amorim repeated the trick here, it was to accelerate a new project at Manchester United and bring Josep Guardiola to his knees. There appears to be no way out of the dire situation for the City manager. This is their 8th loss out of 11 official games, and the decline of a team that has won the entire championship is remarkable and abnormal.
For a long time, it looked like City would secure a much-needed victory thanks to Josko Gvardiol's first-half header. They played calmly, but United didn't have an edge. They were a mess in the final third. And at the very end, they were able to accept the outcome that they were not and that Amorim tried to use as a catalyst.
The change was brought about by Amad Diallo, who was outstanding during Amorim's tenure. First, City's emergency left-back Matheus Nunez's backpass was horribly short and he won a penalty. Amad tricked Nunez into a reckless tackle with a cute stop-and-go move, allowing Bruno Fernandes to equalize from the penalty spot.
Happily for United, there was more to it than that. Amad was alert for a long pass and had a great first touch, lifting it and slotting it past the advancing Ederson. The second one wasn't bad either. A volley from an off-angle shot crossed the line, but Gvardiol was unable to clear it in front of him.
City have won their last three league derbies here, scoring 13 goals in them. At this point, only suffering and disbelief continued. Anxiety is everywhere.
There was a strange atmosphere during the match, both teams were struggling and the storyline was unusual. Take for example what Guardiola said on Friday about the idea of losing the dressing room. Imagine hearing those words at the end of October, when City were unbeaten in all competitions. Guardiola's diet was also detailed. He sticks to soup at night because his stomach hurts too much.
As for United, the problems run deep, with a major focus being how little time Amorim has spent on the training ground to drive a comprehensive stylistic overhaul. He is acutely aware of the magnitude of the challenge.
Even if the two players were absent, it was just the 90 minutes and the presence of the players. Amorim had left Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho out of his squad, but suggested the decision was partly based on the ominous impressions he had seen from them around Carrington.
Amorim's idea was to be solid. Therefore, Nousser Mazraoui and Diogo Dalo moved further forward as wing-backs, with Amad as number 10 on the right. Harry Maguire slotted into the center of the back three. United sensed there was space behind City's defensive line and Manuel Ugarte dropped Amad clean, only for him to go wide in the 26th minute. The offside flag was raised.
City's breakthrough was not yet touted, but when it did happen it was a huge tonic for them. From United's point of view, the shot from the corner was disgusting, but not surprising. They have consistently failed to defend properly this season.
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City played it short and luck struck when Kevin De Bruyne's cross was deflected by Amad and looped perfectly into Gvardiol's run-in. Dalot wasn't doing enough and Rasmus Hjølund was sucked into the ball. Gvardiol scored a free header.
Injuries were also part of the story. Guardiola was without Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake, with John Stones fit enough to return to the bench. Rico Luiz's suspension leaves the manager with just three defenders who are fully fit and available. Perhaps 7 people in the team is not enough? That's why Nunez became a left-back. United, on the other hand, lost Mason Mount after 12 minutes, a blow for the unlucky midfielder.
After Gvardiol's goal, there was controversy when Kyle Walker, who had fouled the United striker, clashed forehead to forehead with Hojlund. It was a humiliating attempt by the 93-capped England international to send off his opponent, with Walker falling to the ground. Both were already reserved.
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Phil Foden's shot went wide of the near post in the 21st minute, and the City midfielder came close to scoring again after flashing his toe in first-half stoppage time, but it was hardly a thriller.
United had rhythm and structure to their passing movements but needed to show more character and incision. City were just happy to be able to grab something. They rallied United in the second half, but if it was strange to see them play so lackluster, perhaps they decided United couldn't hurt them.
Amad set up Ederson's header and Fernandes had a big chance in the 74th minute when he was released by Hojlund. United looked set when his dimpled finish went wide of the far post. Amado had other ideas.
