Manchester United overcame the Manchester derby hurdle with a 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.
While Ruben Amorim has had a rocky start to life as Manchester United head coach, the 2-1 win over Man City was a massive feat but it now needs to be backed up with consistency.
Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot before Amad Diallo stunned City with a late winner.
Man City weren’t at the races and it was easy to see why they’ve managed just one win in 11 games. This Pep Guardiola side is clearly not producing the same levels as they slide away from a title race and into a top four dogfight.
Neither side was daring enough in the opening 45 minutes, but Manchester United conceded from yet another set piece after the break – against the run of play – but a thrilling ending made for chaotic scenes in the away end.
Manchester United need a winning run
The only way United can climb up the Premier League table is by winning football matches.
Last season, the Reds failed to qualify for the Champions League for that very reason.
A lack of consistency led to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League and the only reason United qualified for the Europa League was by winning the FA Cup, which is a further sign we’re a cup team.
Next up is Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, with a semi-final place up for grabs. Then it’s three winnable league matches – Bournemouth, Wolves, Newcastle – before a trip to Liverpool. United must carry the momentum from the Manchester derby win into these games.
Nine points from the next three league matches would put United in a stronger league position before the new year.
The Amad Diallo show
United fans want to see more of Amad Diallo.
The 22-year-old has a track record for popping up in big games and producing key moments after doing the same against Liverpool in a memorable FA Cup win last season. He did the same against City on Sunday with a performance that saw Diallo selected in the Premier League team of the week.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 23 | 4 | 6 |
Amad is not only a pleasure to watch, but his work ethic is second to none and it’s easy to see why Amorim has been quick to make him a regular in the first-team. This element of his game is something other United forwards lack and that is why the team performs better when he’s involved.
A rise to prominence under Ruben Amorim raises further questions about why Amad was regularly overlooked by Erik ten Hag.
Now, however, there’s talk of a new United contract for Diallo. That says everything you need to know about his place in the first team.
Improved communication with Manchester United fans
Ineos’ cost-cutting has led to over 250 redundancies at Manchester United, which in turn has had a negative impact on fan services, which is a department that should be at the forefront of the club’s decision-making.
Football is nothing without fans, as clubs learned during the pandemic, and a lack of communication with supporters in recent times will only push those most loyal further away from the club.
The biggest slap in the face came recently when they announced a ticket price hike mid-season, with tickets for the remaining Premier League matches jumping to £66.
To make matters worse, that same ridiculous price applies to children, making it incredibly costly for a fan to take their kid to games.
A further example came this week when United ran a ballot for their European trip to Bucharest in January.
But fans on social media complained they were not sent notifications, and criticised the lack of communication by the club.
It’s time Ineos considered the importance of loyal fans.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe to rectify ticketing controversy
The backlash from the Manchester United ticket price hike has not come as a surprise. It shows that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is prepared to be ruthless with fans as well as staff.
It’s crazy to think Ratcliffe grew up in Manchester yet has been so quick to forget that it’s a working class city. Rather than trying to exploit United fans during a cost crisis, why not take the pressure of us and change your mind about ticket prices?
Admit it was a mistake and take your cost cutting focus elsewhere? Perhaps cut spending on players’ wages because we could all name a few who are earning too much.
Find a way to deal with set pieces
It’s a relief that United are not conceding as many goals or chances from open play.
If that issue was addressed in a matter of weeks by Amorim and his United coaching staff, I wouldn’t bet against them finding a way for United to deal with set pieces.
The 2-0 defeat to Arsenal will stand out for being a game we lost due to being unable to defend from corners. It was evident again in the Manchester derby, but thankfully United managed to come from behind to win 2-1.
Amorim can’t fix everything overnight and we may need to wait for the team’s physicality to improve.
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