The Gryphon Gazette

By: Adi G. ‘27

On Sunday, December 15, 2024, we saw Manchester City host Manchester United at the Etihad for the 195th Manchester Derby. Going into the game, much hung in the balance for both teams. 

Manchester City had won just one of their last eleven games, recording 8 losses and 2 draws in that time. After 2-0 losses to Liverpool and Juventus, the City boss Pep Guardiola expressed deep concern, saying that he “didn’t expect it to be this bad” and citing a lack of fluidity in possession. To make matters worse, City had lost their best player and Ballon d’Or winner, Rodrigo Hernandez (Rodri) to an ACL injury. Given his responsibility of protecting City’s defense as a deep-lying midfielder, his injury has left them much more exposed defensively.

 Meanwhile, opponents Manchester United are still settling into life under their new boss, Ruben Amorim. Up until the derby, the team had won 3, drawn 1, and lost 2. However, Amorim’s philosophy is ingraining more and more with the Manchester United players. Notably, in open play against Arsenal they didn’t look vulnerable, and players like Rasmus Højlund, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, and Amad Diallo are gelling very well with the new system. However, City were still the clear favorites despite all this, given their home record against Manchester United, United’s shaky performances against the Big 6, and the new system for the United players.

In the game, neither side looked great starting out. Mason Mount, Manchester United’s starting inside forward, picked up an injury ten minutes into the game and was withdrawn for academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo. A few City crosses were easily headed away by the United defense, and United also suffered the same issue. In the 22nd minute, Erling Haaland slipped Phil Foden in behind the United defense, but his shot was blocked behind for a corner. Manchester United star Amad Diallo picked up 3 offsides in the first half, in what looked like a rare bad game for him. However, the luck was on City’s side as they drew first blood. A deflected cross from Kevin de Bruyne found Josko Gvardiol, who headed in from close range to give the Citizens a 1-0 advantage. Shortly after, United looked to hit City on the counter-attack, but Kyle Walker plowed into Rasmus Højlund in what would typically be considered a yellow-card offense. Højlund, furious, ran over to the City captain and gave him a piece of his mind, resulting in a light headbutt between the two players. Walker immediately tried to make the most of it by collapsing on the floor, but the camera replays showed minimal contact. While the laws decreed Walker should have been booked for simulation, he got away with a yellow card only for the tackle. Højlund also received a booking for his part in the affair. On the stroke of half-time, a deflected Phil Foden effort from outside the box kissed the post on its way out. 

After the break, City came out looking lackluster and ended up being punished. United got their first big chance of the game when skipper Bruno Fernandes delivered an inverted cross, which found the head of Amad Diallo. Ederson leaped spectacularly to keep it out of the far side of the goal, retaining City’s one-goal advantage. Guardiola then withdrew Kevin de Bruyne for Mateo Kovacic. Shortly after, Manchester United produced the best chance of the game, snatching up a stray ball in midfield and quickly progressing it to number 9 Rasmus Højlund, who played captain Bruno Fernandes in with a perfect through ball. However, Fernandes lifted his effort barely wide, and the score stayed 1-0 City. Then, Jack Grealish came on for Jeremy Doku while United made a triple change. Joshua Zirkzee replaced Rasmus Højlund, Noussair Mazraoui was withdrawn in favor of Antony, and Leny Yoro took the place of Matthijs de Ligt. In the 86th minute, Guardiola would come to regret his decision to play attacking midfielder Matheus Nunes at left-back, as he made a sloppy backpass to Ederson that was seized upon by Amad Diallo. Consumed with the urge to erase his mistake, he clattered Diallo to the floor in an attempt to win back the ball but instead ended up giving away a penalty. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and sent Ederson the wrong way with a calm finish into the bottom right side. Ilkay Gundogan was taken off for Savinho, but it didn’t have much effect. United center-back Lisandro Martinez then lifted in a delightful over-the-top through-ball which split the City defense, and Amad Diallo ran through the middle to receive. He took a touch up and over Ederson before calmly slotting across the goal with his weak foot to secure all 3 points for Manchester United.

This was a statement win for United’s boss Ruben Amorim, as he had dropped Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho prior to the game. Rumors circulated that one of them had leaked the United line-up, and there were also question marks around their work ethic regarding tracking back to defend. Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund took to Instagram to express his feelings on the game, with Walker replying, “Unacceptable”.

As for Manchester City, they look to regain their form next time out on a trip to Birmingham to face Aston Villa. It was a worrying display from them, having close to 50-50 possession at their home ground and had 0.99 expected goals to United’s 2.18. Having been thoroughly outclassed by multiple opponents, they will look to make many big signings in January to try to salvage their season.