For long periods of the derby, Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim cut a frustrated figure on the touchlines at the Etihad.
Man United went behind to something of a freak chance that landed to Josko Gvardioal in the box, who headed home well.
Thereafter, Amorim’s side were always in the game, but Amad Diallo’s bright individual moments weren’t quite enough to make the difference.
That was until the closing stages, when Diallo then decided to take over the derby, winning three points for some delirious fans in the away end.
Diallo was outstanding, and proved why Amorim was prepared to make such a bold call with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.
Amad Diallo proves why Man United can move on from Marcus Rashford
Before the game, Amorim explained his decision to leave both Rashford and Garnacho out of the squad – a decision most fans will trust.
United then didn’t have an awful lot of game-changing options on the bench, meaning Diallo had to step up.
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And the £19m winger certainly did just that; Diallo proved that he’s the new exciting winger for United fans to get behind, someone who’s been patiently waiting for his chance.
Even before his brilliance at the end of the derby, Gary Neville described Diallo as the ‘bright spark’ for United in Sky Sports’ coverage of the game.
Then, after he scored, Neville paid tribute to the ‘sensational’ winger, who City’s defence simply couldn’t cope with.
He said: “An absolute shining light. What must Pep Guardiola be thinking? Amad has been sensational – the only Manchester United player to look like a Manchester United player.
“The touch is perfect and the finish – Gvardiol maybe could have cleared it but take nothing away from Amad.”
Amad Diallo wins Ruben Amorim his first Manchester derby
In terms of the wingers who Amorim left out, Alan Shearer thought Rashford looked unhappy of late, words that came before his high-profile dropping.
But following Diallo’s display, there’s really no reason to focus on the negatives.
Alongside Diallo, Manuel Ugarte was also immense at the Etihad.
Surprisingly, Ugarte’s display divided United fans, with some still feeling as if his passing was inadequate.
But as mentioned, it’s not a time to focus on any negatives – a brilliant win for United and three important points towards their efforts to surge up the table.
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