Red Devils complete stunning late comeback

Manchester United scored two late goals to beat rivals Manchester City at the Etihad.

It was another miserable night for the Premier League champions, who took the lead in the first half.

Josko Gvardiol rose highest to head home a deflected Kevin De Bruyne cross in what had been a dire game until that moment.

The quality did not get much better but United made sure to make it entertaining late on.

Amad Diallo latched on to a loose Matheus Nunes pass back to goalkeeper Ederson, with the Portugal international catching him as he tried to make up for his mistake.

Bruno Fernandes stepped up to cooly turn home the resulting penalty and it was bedlam just a few moments later.

Diallo again was at the heart of the action, flicking the ball over Ederson and sliding home to give United a shock three points.

Read on to see the full story of the clash in Manchester.

MANCHESTER. IS. RED. 🔴#MUFC || #MCIMUN

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 15, 2024

How it happened

City dominated the early stages of the game, enjoying the lion’s share of possession.

The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Gvardiol rose highest to head home after a deflected cross from De Bruyne.

It was a deserved lead for City, who had been the more threatening side in a scrappy first half.

Despite City’s dominance, neither team created many clear chances, with United failing to register a shot on target before the break.

The second half began with City continuing to control proceedings, but they failed to capitalise on their dominance.

Erling Haaland came close, but the visitors remained in the contest, buoyed by City’s inability to kill the game off.

As the clock ticked on, United grew into the game and began asking questions of City’s defence.

What a feeling ❤️#MUFC || #MCIMUN pic.twitter.com/adNGEzhj08

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 15, 2024

The turning point came in the 86th minute when a critical error by Nunes handed United a lifeline.

Nunes’ under-hit back pass allowed Amad to pounce, and although his initial touch took him wide, the midfielder’s recovery tackle brought the United winger down.

Referee Michael Oliver had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Captain Fernandes stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, levelling the score at 1-1.

With momentum firmly on their side, United sensed an opportunity for an unlikely victory.

Just four minutes later, in stoppage time, Lisandro Martinez delivered a precise lofted pass over the City backline.

Amad showed great composure to flick the ball past an onrushing Ederson before slotting it into the net despite pressure from Gvardiol.

The away fans erupted as United took an astonishing 2-1 lead.

The victory lifts United’s spirits and provides a significant boost to Ruben Amorim’s side as they look to recover from a patchy run of form.

Meanwhile, City will be left ruing missed opportunities and go on with just one win in 11.