Manchester City Outclass Manchester United: Tactical Breakdown of Derby Defeat
It was a Manchester derby to forget for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United, as a 3-0 defeat at the Etihad once again exposed familiar flaws in system and execution. Amorim’s Premier League record now stands at just eight wins from 31 games, raising serious questions about whether the issues lie in his philosophy, individual errors, or simply Manchester City’s brilliance.
Below, we break down the key tactical battles that defined the derby.
How Manchester City Created a Midfield Overload
Pep Guardiola once again showcased his tactical mastery, targeting United’s defensive approach down the left side. City created a four-vs-two advantage in midfield by using clever positioning:
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Left-back Nico O’Reilly stretched play wide, dragging United wing-back Noussair Mazraoui out of position.
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Jeremy Doku moved centrally, leaving Mazraoui caught between two opponents.
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With Rodri, Phil Foden, Reijnders, and Doku forming a box, City consistently outnumbered United’s midfield two.
This overload mirrored Fulham’s earlier success against United, when Alex Iwobi used similar movements to disrupt Amorim’s setup.
United’s Disjointed Press
United’s pressing lacked cohesion. When Doku drifted inside, it forced Leny Yoro, United’s right centre-back, to step high up the pitch. However, Yoro often hesitated, leaving gaps behind him.
Bruno Fernandes admitted after the match that his team wasn’t bold enough:
“City take that risk against us – we need to do the same.”
But instead of committing fully, United pressed in fragments, giving City passing options and allowing them to progress comfortably.
Guardiola’s Clever Use of “Pinning”
City’s positional play also highlighted Guardiola’s use of pinning—positioning attackers in ways that “fix” defenders and open space elsewhere.
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On the left, O’Reilly pinned Mazraoui wide, freeing Doku to operate inside.
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On the right, Reijnders held Luke Shaw deep, preventing him from stepping out and leaving Doku free to create the opener.
This smart manipulation of defenders repeatedly gave City’s forwards space to attack.
United’s Midfield Fails to Track Runners
For City’s first goal, Fernandes and Ugarte were deep but failed to track a late run, leaving Phil Foden free to score. This was not the first time United have conceded in this way—Fulham’s Smith Rowe scored with an almost identical run earlier in the season.
While Fernandes brings creativity and work rate, his defensive instincts remain limited. By contrast, Guardiola deployed Foden in advanced midfield roles precisely to exploit these gaps.
Should Amorim Adapt His Philosophy?
The big question now is whether United’s struggles are due to player quality or Amorim’s system. With better personnel, perhaps his aggressive wide centre-backs could execute the press more effectively. But the tactical flaws—particularly midfield overloads—are systematic and being exploited by opponents.
Amorim, however, remains defiant:
“When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola continues to adapt. His use of Gianluigi Donnarumma hinted at a more direct approach in build-up play, showing flexibility even while staying true to his principles.
Conclusion
Manchester City’s 3-0 victory wasn’t just about quality—it was about tactical superiority. United’s disjointed press, poor tracking, and Amorim’s stubbornness left them exposed, while Guardiola once again proved why adaptability is central to success at the top level.
Until Amorim adjusts, Manchester United risk being outplayed by any opponent smart enough to replicate City’s blueprint.