Manchester City is in the midst of a serious crisis following their dramatic 2-1 loss to Manchester United at the Etihad. (Photo Illustration: Swastik Sharma)
Manchester City is in the midst of a serious crisis following their dramatic 2-1 loss to Manchester United at the Etihad. (Photo Illustration: Swastik Sharma)
Summary
Manchester City is in the midst of a serious crisis following their dramatic 2-1 loss to Manchester United at the Etihad.
NEW DELHI: Manchester City is in the midst of a serious crisis following their dramatic 2-1 loss to Manchester United at the Etihad on December 15, 2024. The defeat, which has left Pep Guardiola’s men reeling, marks a concerning downturn in the team’s form. With eight losses in their last 11 matches, City is grappling with the type of inconsistency that was once unimaginable for the reigning Premier League champions.
Bruno Fernandes celebrates after scoring the equalizer against City in the derby on Matchday. (Photo Illustration)
Despite taking the lead through Josko Gvardiol’s first-half header, City was unable to sustain their dominance. Manchester United, buoyed by an early penalty awarded after a contentious handball decision against Ruben Dias, mounted a resilient fightback. Amad Diallo’s late goal added salt to City’s wounds, leaving Guardiola visibly frustrated.
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This loss is not just a result but part of a worrying trend for City, who have struggled to close out games in recent weeks. The squad, long known for its depth and quality, now appears vulnerable in crucial moments, especially at the back. Guardiola has faced growing criticism for his tactical decisions, with questions raised about the
NEW DELHI: Manchester City is in the midst of a serious crisis following their dramatic 2-1 loss to Manchester United at the Etihad on December 15, 2024. The defeat, which has left Pep Guardiola’s men reeling, marks a concerning downturn in the team’s form. With eight losses in their last 11 matches, City is grappling with the type of inconsistency that was once unimaginable for the reigning Premier League champions.
Bruno Fernandes celebrates after scoring the equalizer against City in the derby on Matchday. (Photo Illustration)
Despite taking the lead through Josko Gvardiol’s first-half header, City was unable to sustain their dominance. Manchester United, buoyed by an early penalty awarded after a contentious handball decision against Ruben Dias, mounted a resilient fightback. Amad Diallo’s late goal added salt to City’s wounds, leaving Guardiola visibly frustrated.
This loss is not just a result but part of a worrying trend for City, who have struggled to close out games in recent weeks. The squad, long known for its depth and quality, now appears vulnerable in crucial moments, especially at the back. Guardiola has faced growing criticism for his tactical decisions, with questions raised about the defensive lapses and the lack of clinical finishing in attack.
Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring the winner against City in the derby. (Photo Illustration: Swastik Sharma)
City’s slump sees them sitting 12 points behind league leaders, which compounds the urgency of the situation. While there are still many matches to go in the season, Guardiola is under intense pressure to restore the team’s winning ways. His reputation as one of the best managers in the world will be scrutinized if his form doesn’t improve soon, particularly with the club’s lofty ambitions.
Despite the mounting crisis, City’s fans have continued to show unwavering support for Guardiola, with a tribute banner reading, “In Pep We Trust,” reflecting their belief that the manager is the key to overcoming this turbulent period. However, Guardiola knows that time is running out, and he must quickly address the defensive issues and the team’s inability to deliver in crucial moments.
If the slump continues, Manchester City may face an even tougher challenge to qualify for the Champions League, further intensifying the pressure on both the manager and players as the season progresses.
Swastik Sharma
Swastik Sharma is a trainee journalist at The News Indian; he previously completed his master's in journalism from Makhanlal Chaurvedi University.
