How Ruben Amorim’s tactics and Amad Diallo’s grit concocted recipe for latest Manchester City meltdown | Football News

When Kyle Walker crumpled to the ground after a face-off with Rasmus Højlund in an embarrassing attempt to get the Manchester United youngster sent off, you could feel Manchester City’s desperation, something their fans aren’t really accustomed to in Pep Guardiola’s age. It was very strange to witness a City player trying these tactics when they were already 1-0 up with United looking toothless but it did speak volumes of how far the confidence of a once all conquering juggernaut had fallen.
After the full-time whle, captain Walker and his City team were laid out on the ground again, having lost 8 of their last 11 games in all competitions, the latest defeat coming courtesy of a one-two knockout punch United’s 22-year-old sensation Amad Diallo. The Ivorian has been a vital part of United’s system under manager Ruben Amorim due to his desire to chase down anything and everything under the sun. This quality has paid dividends multiple times this season and on Sunday, Diallo’s relentless pressing handed Amorim his second win against City in one month’s time, first as the Sporting CP coach, when he tore apart Pep Guardiola’s side 1-4 in the Champions League and now, as the United gaffer.
A few weeks ago, Amorim had said that United players needed to ‘run like mad dogs’ in order to win the Premier League and on Sunday, Diallo ran City ragged, becoming the main architect of pushing Guardiola’s side closer to the ass. 3 minutes was all it took for the winger to turn the game on his head as United went from 1-0 down to 1-2 up as City’s gamble to play Matheus Nunes in a defensive role flopped hard.
Manchester United’s head coach Ruben Amorim talks to his players at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates stadium in London, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The Portuguese was caught out due to Diallo’s relentless pressing, losing the ball in a dangerous area and in trying to rectify his make fouled the winger in the penalty box, a spot kick which Bruno Fernandes duly converted. For the second goal, Nunes did not have the legs to catch up to Diallo who again latched on to a long ball Lisandro Martinez and lobbed it over goalie Ederson with the first touch and stunned the home fans with a clever finish which Josko Gvardiol failed to clear.
After constantly getting ignored previous manager Erik Ten Hag for reasons unknown, Diallo has exploded to life under Amorim, scoring 4 goals this season. If his decision making and shooting improves, the sky’s the limit for the winger who has a boatload of untapped potential.
It’s a huge credit for Amorim as well as he stuck to his guns, even excluding top scorers Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the squad against City, sending a message that he would not be walked over anyone. Even with a lack of attackers, the 39-year-old could see how porous the City defence was and struck when the time was right.
Playing Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire in his favoured back three, he ensured that United were solid in defence even at the cost of not making much progression while having possession. With the three defenders staying put, City could not press United higher up the pitch. With that sorted, Amorim turned to Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot, the wingbacks to penetrate a shaky City backline with the midfield of Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo in support.
Even when City looked to find a foothold in the attacking third, United would switch to a defensive structure of 5-4-1, not giving enough space to the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Phil Foden to get a proper shot on goal, almost always stifling their attempts. The only strike they let in was unsurprisingly from a corner, their Achilles heel this season, with United having conceded 42% of their goals in the Premier League this season from set pieces.
Even though United still look more of a work in progress, their primary focus going forward will likely be to become a much more assertive side while defending set pieces while ensuring Amorim’s tactics are imprinted on the team before the coach can bring in players more suited to his style. Until then, United just have to survive and strike at the opportune time, just like they did on the cold December night at the Etihad.

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