Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim were at odds in their post-match press conferences following Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Manchester City.
The Premier League champions were 1-0 up going into the final five minutes of the game but were canceled out by some brilliance from Amad Diallo.
Diallo earned his side a penalty after latching on to a loose pass from Mateus Nunes, which Bruno Fernandes headed home, before grabbing the winner minutes later.
This has left Guardiola crestfallen at full-time, with his side having won just one of their last 11 games.
He said: “It’s happening a lot this year unfortunately. We gave a lot of things.
“We’re not good the way we played. Before it was so fluid, now we are fighting for different reasons. Many defeats.
“I’m the boss, I’m the manager and I’m not good enough.”
Pep Guardiola in the post-match press conference after the Manchester derby defeat 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/EUOW1Yr5Rm
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 15, 2024
“We gave everything and the game was almost closed. They had more possession in the first half, but nothing special. We concede two goals, very difficult.
“It is what it is. What can I say? We can’t blame this or that player, that’s not it. Tis the season, a tough season.
“We didn’t do our best. We are not at our best and we are struggling a bit. Now we don’t play for the week.
“We haven’t lost that much in two seasons before. We’ve now done it in eight games. You have to defend yourself. We’ve lost a lot of games. It is difficult. We have to go forward and try to find the solution and try to win games.
“I think in nine years it was not the hardest defeat. Defeats are more difficult in the Champions League. But right now we need results to lift our spirits. It’s getting worse and worse. I have to find the solution. So far I haven’t found it and that’s the truth.”
Amorim’s ecstasy
“It’s not a disciplinary issue, it’s something we have to do to improve our standards.”
Ruben Amorim explains why Marcus Rashford and Alejandro were not in Manchester United’s derby squad pic.twitter.com/odtfcHQkTF
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 15, 2024
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Meanwhile, it was a joy for Amorim, who has now won at City in charge of United and Sporting this season.
He might be spotted with his head in his hands during the game, but all will be forgotten for now as he celebrates the win.
He said: “Three points. We have a lot to do, but huge for our fans. But I see the same game until the 85th minute.
“Maybe our conversation would have been so different without the goals, but the performance was the same. They stayed in the game for 90 minutes. We didn’t control the result throughout, but I think we deserved it. Have a good day.
“You could feel we were close to scoring. We improved our speed on our runs and had chances. We controlled City’s attack and believed it at the end. We wanted it more when we scored the first goal. Congratulations to the lads.
“It’s very important, but when this game was over I remembered a week before the storm. We were 3-1 at home to Nottingham and I’m keeping that feeling for these days so I don’t get carried away. We really needed the three points.”
