Manchester United Collapse vs City | Amorim Can’t Save This Squad
Manchester United suffered another painful Manchester Derby defeat to rivals City, exposing major weaknesses under manager Ruben Amorim. From a shaky defense and a flat midfield to wasteful finishing up front, United once again fell short while City showed their ruthless edge. Read our full Manchester United vs Manchester City analysis to understand where it all went wrong and what needs to change if United are to compete at the top of the Premier League.
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9/22/20251 min read
Manchester United fell short once again, this time against Manchester City, and the cracks under Ruben Amorim are becoming impossible to ignore. The Manchester Derby has always been a test of character, but United simply were not up for the challenge.
This is not a knee jerk Ruben Amorim out rant. But if Amorim is allowed to ride out the full season then either he knows something the fans do not, or the Manchester United board has no realistic alternatives. The truth is simple, this squad has fundamental weaknesses and they were brutally exposed at the Etihad.
Where It All Went Wrong:
Defense: Once again, United’s back line collapsed on set pieces. Poor communication and panic under pressure left Haaland and company far too comfortable. Subbing Yoro off against the Norwegian powerhouse was a baffling call that backfired instantly.
Midfield: The midfield offered little control or balance throughout the game. There was no real presence to shield the defense or dictate the tempo, which allowed Manchester City to dominate possession and push United deeper into their own half.
Forwards: The attack was toothless. Mbeumo wasted two golden chances, Sesko relied on raw power rather than precision, and the final ball was nowhere near clinical. It is becoming a recurring theme, possession without penetration.
Manchester City by contrast did not even need to be perfect. They simply punished mistakes, burying chances with ruthless efficiency. That is the gulf between a side that knows how to win and one still searching for identity.
For Manchester United the message is clear. Until the defense tightens up, the midfield finds balance, and the attack becomes clinical, derby days will continue to bring heartbreak.