Manchester United made a triumphant return to form with a 2-1 comeback victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The Red Devils, initially lackluster and trailing at halftime after a Josko Gvardiol header, rallied brilliantly in the closing stages to secure the win.

United struggled in the first half, failing to register a single shot on target. However, the second half saw a rejuvenated performance. Amad Diallo won a crucial penalty in the 88th minute, which Bruno Fernandes converted to equalize. Just two minutes later, Diallo delivered the decisive moment, lobbing the ball over Ederson to clinch a dramatic derby victory.

Despite the positive result, individual performances were mixed. Diogo Dalot had a particularly tough outing, struggling defensively and offering little offensively. He failed to track Gvardiol’s run for City’s opener and did not complete a single cross (0/2). Statistically, Dalot lost all seven of his duels, committed four fouls, and misplaced possession 10 times, earning him a 4/10 rating from Manchester Evening News.

Dalot, who shone as a left-back during the 2023/24 season, has found adapting to a wing-back role under Ruben Amorim challenging. With several underwhelming displays, Amorim may be forced to reconsider his options for upcoming matches.

The victory lifts United’s spirits but keeps them 13th in the Premier League table, six points behind fourth-placed Nottingham Forest. To remain in the hunt for Champions League qualification, they’ll need a consistent run of results.

Next, the Red Devils turn their attention to the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur, an opportunity to build momentum in a challenging season.