Man city Star Doku reveals the ONE United player that really surprised Him with His performance yesterday
Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku shared his candid thoughts following their 2-1 loss to Manchester United in a dramatic Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium. Despite City’s early dominance, the Belgian winger admitted he was surprised by the impact of one United player who caused him significant problems on the pitch. “We let our 1-0 lead slip, but I must say I’ve rarely faced a player as aggressively dangerous as him in this league,” Doku remarked, though he refrained from specifying whether he was referring to Bruno Fernandes or Amad Diallo—both of whom played pivotal roles in United’s comeback.
The match opened with City appearing in control, as Pep Guardiola’s men capitalized on a dominant first half. Josko Gvardiol’s thumping header from close range gave the hosts the lead, and for much of the opening spell, City looked poised to claim a crucial victory to keep pace with the league leaders. The early breakthrough reflected their fluid passing and attacking intent, but Manchester United were far from done. Under the guidance of new head coach Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils demonstrated a level of resilience that has been largely absent this season.
Manchester United’s comeback began late in the second half after a costly error by Matheus Nunes. A sloppy back pass from the midfielder put goalkeeper Ederson in trouble, and as he scrambled to regain control, Nunes fouled Amad Diallo in the penalty area. The referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot. Bruno Fernandes, cool and composed, stepped up to the challenge. The United captain sent Ederson the wrong way, driving the equalizer home and igniting the Red Devils’ hopes.
Momentum swung firmly in United’s favor as City’s confidence began to crack. With minutes left on the clock, Lisandro Martinez produced a moment of brilliance, threading a precise long ball from deep in his own half. The pass found Amad Diallo, who had tormented City’s defense throughout the match. As Ederson rushed off his line to close the angle, Amad displayed remarkable composure, deftly flicking the ball over the goalkeeper before calmly slotting it into the empty net. The finish left City’s defenders stranded and the home crowd in stunned silence.
For Guardiola’s side, the loss marked yet another disappointing result in what has become a turbulent run of form. They have now suffered five defeats in their last seven Premier League matches, a concerning slump that leaves them nine points behind table-toppers Liverpool. Pressure continues to mount as their hopes of retaining the title begin to fade.
Meanwhile, Manchester United celebrated one of their most significant victories of the season. Bruno Fernandes’ leadership and Amad Diallo’s electric display were instrumental in turning the tide, while Ruben Amorim’s tactical tweaks gave United the edge when it mattered most. Though City dominated possession for large portions of the match, United’s grit and opportunism ensured they emerged victorious in this fiercely contested derby.
The defeat raises questions for Guardiola and his squad as they look to regroup for the season’s remaining fixtures. For United, this thrilling comeback serves as a reminder of their ability to deliver when the stakes are highest, reigniting hopes of a late-season surge. The Manchester derby once again lived up to its billing, showcasing drama, tension, and individual brilliance in one of football’s most iconic rivalries.
