Jeremy Doku, the Manchester City winger, shared his thoughts following their dramatic 2-1 loss to Manchester United in a heated derby at the Etihad Stadium. Reflecting on the game, Doku acknowledged the disappointment of relinquishing their 1-0 advantage but highlighted his surprise at the performance of one particular United player. He described this player as the most aggressively dangerous opponent he has faced in the league, though he did not name Bruno Fernandes or Amad Diallo, both pivotal in United’s remarkable comeback.
The derby began with City taking the lead through Josko Gvardiol’s powerful header, which capped off a dominant first half. Pep Guardiola’s team seemed poised for a crucial victory, aiming to close the gap in their pursuit of the league leaders. However, Manchester United, led by new head coach Ruben Amorim, showed remarkable determination. Despite an inconsistent season, United displayed a newfound resilience that ultimately turned the game in their favor.
City’s unraveling began late in the match with a costly mistake by Matheus Nunes, whose errant back pass put goalkeeper Ederson in a difficult position. Nunes compounded his error by fouling Amad Diallo in the penalty area, leading to a penalty. Captain Bruno Fernandes stepped up with ice-cold composure, sending Ederson the wrong way to equalize with just minutes remaining.
United’s momentum only grew from there. Lisandro Martinez delivered a stunning long ball from deep in his own half, finding Amad Diallo in an advanced position. Amad, who had been a constant threat throughout the match, showcased incredible composure by flicking the ball over the onrushing Ederson and slotting it calmly into the net. His exceptional finish left City’s defense stunned and sealed a dramatic comeback victory for United.
The defeat was another blow to Guardiola’s struggling side, who have now suffered five losses in their last seven Premier League games. The loss leaves City nine points behind league leaders Liverpool, raising further concerns about their faltering title challenge.
Player Ratings:
Manchester United:
Andre Onana (GK) – 6.7/10: Made routine saves but wasn’t heavily tested.
Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – 7.2/10: Reliable defensively with good ball distribution.
Harry Maguire (CB) – 7.3/10: A composed display with key clearances.
Lisandro Martinez (CB) – 7.8/10: Excellent assist and solid defensive work.
Noussair Mazraoui (RWB) – 7.6/10: A tireless presence on the right flank.
Manuel Ugarte (CM) – 7.3/10: Anchored the midfield effectively.
Bruno Fernandes (CM, Captain) – 8.6/10: Scored the crucial penalty and led by example.
Diogo Dalot (LWB) – 6.3/10: Struggled to make a significant impact.
Amad Diallo (AM) – 8.7/10: A standout performance with a spectacular winning goal.
Mason Mount (AM) – 6.2/10: A quiet game before being substituted.
Rasmus Højlund (ST) – 6.6/10: Worked hard but lacked clear opportunities.
Substitutes:
Kobbie Mainoo (14’ for Mount) – 7.0/10: Brought energy to the midfield.
Antony (79’ for Mazraoui) – 6.2/10: Limited impact in a brief cameo.
Leny Yoro (79’ for de Ligt) – 6.0/10: Helped steady the defense late on.
Joshua Zirkzee (79’ for Højlund) – 5.8/10: Struggled to influence the game.
Victor Lindelöf (90’ for Amad) – N/A: Played too little to be rated.
Subs not used: Altay Bayindir, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen.
This pulsating encounter once again demonstrated the drama and intensity that define the Manchester derby. While United celebrated a thrilling victory, City face the challenge of regrouping as their title hopes grow increasingly precarious.
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