After a spectacular comeback, Manchester United triumphed in the derby against city rivals ManCity. The Red Devils also gave thanks to higher powers.
Until the 88th minute, it looked as if the home side Skyblues would win the derby, but then an avoidable penalty kick brought the visitors back into the game. However, the fact that the ball would end up in the City net a second time just 115 hand-stopped seconds after Bruno Fernandes’ penalty was also not foreseeable at that point.
“Something magical” happened in those final minutes, according to United coach Ruben Amorim, as he summarized at the BBC microphone after the final whistle. “It was incredible,” the Portuguese said after his first Manchester derby and was particularly happy that his team “believed in it until the end”.
Omission of Rashford and Garnacho “not a disciplinary measure”
From a personal point of view, the 39-year-old should be spared some uncomfortable questions in the wake of the late away win, as his decision to leave Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, who were fit, out of the squad had already made headlines in advance.
“It wasn’t a disciplinary measure,” Amorim clarified again afterwards on Sky. ‘We try to assess everything: training performance, match performance, interaction with teammates.’ If the two ‘train well’ in the coming week – ‘the same goes for everyone’ – they could return to the squad as early as the next game. Because, as Amorim is in no doubt: “We need Rashford and Garnacho.”
Match-winner Amad sets his sights on the next game
However, it seems unlikely that both wingers will be in the starting lineup for the League Cup game against Tottenham on Thursday for a very simple reason: Amad. Per’s winning penalty kick was the 22-year-old’s second of the game, impressively demonstrating his importance to the Red Devils once again.
While the player of the match himself wanted to say only a few words about his own performance, he preferred to thank God in the interview instead. “Let’s enjoy it for today and then focus on the next game,” said the modest Amad.
Bruno Fernandes was a little more articulate, praising the match winner to the skies: “When he plays like that, he’s unstoppable. I just want him to keep working – that’s what he’s done. It’s great what he did today, but I’m sure he can do it every week,” said the United captain. Amad would now regularly get “his chances – and deservedly so”.
The next opportunity for the Ivorian international to fulfill his potential comes on Thursday against Spurs. United will then host the Cherries from Bournemouth in the Premier League next Sunday (3pm).