Manchester United spelled disaster after weakening Premier League champions Manchester City as late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo snatched a surprise 2-1 away win from the jaws of Sunday’s defeat.
Ruben Amorim’s men were heading to their third league defeat in a row, conceding a goal by Josko Gvardiol’s header.
However, a poor derby saw a stunning late turn when a Matheus Nunes error led to a penalty which gave Fernandes the chance to equalize from the spot in the 88th minute.
City had barely recovered from the shock when, seconds later, Diallo sent the visiting fans into a frenzy with a phenomenal shot from the tightest of angles.
City have now won just once in 11 games in all competitions and remain fifth in the table. United moved up to 12th place.
After disastrous recent results, neither side started the match smoothly, and Manchester United did not have a single shot on target before the break.
United manager Ruben Amorim flexed his muscles ahead of the first Manchester derby, leaving Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho out of the matchday squad, and then was forced to make an early change when Mason Mount limped off after 14 minutes and was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo.
City took 20 minutes to get a shot on goal when Phil Foden volleyed a cross wide of goal. On the other hand, Diallo hit the outside of the post, but it was still offside.
City fans were becoming increasingly restless, but the tension around the Etihad Stadium eased in the 36th minute when, from a short corner kick, De Bruyne’s cross was deflected and dropped invitingly, and Gvardiol headed it past Andre Onana.
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It was United’s eighth goal conceded from a corner kick this season, with only Wolverhampton Wanderers achieving a better result.
Tempers flared shortly afterwards when City’s Kyle Walker and Rasmus Hojland united like two groaning deer and Walker dramatically fell to the ground, earning yellow cards for both players after a melee that involved several other players.
United stayed in the game in the second half and should have equalized when Bruno Fernandes hit the target, but his poor finish went agonizingly wide.
City didn’t even have a shot on target after the break and were devastated as his world collapsed around him.
Diallo took advantage of Nunes’ poor back pass and then compounded the mistake by hooking the United player.
Fernandes had a penalty saved, but the worst was yet to come for the hosts when Diallo crossed for the winner.
