A deflated Pep Guardiola admitted he was "not good enough" to figure out Manchester City's problems after they conceded two late goals to slump to a 2-1 home derby defeat to rivals Manchester United.
City had led through Josko Gvardiol’s 36th-minute header but rarely looked comfortable in the game and it all unravelled in stunning fashion at the death.
A backline that saw midfielder Matheus Nunes deployed at left-back never looked comfortable during an uncomfortable 90 minutes – and it was the Portugal international who allowed United a way back into the game.
Nunes was guilty of a poor back-pass and then fouled Amad Diallo trying to make amends to concede a penalty which Bruno Fernandes converted in the 88th minute.
Two minutes later Diallo latched on to a long ball from Lisandro Martinez and produced a moment of brilliance to round Ederson and slot home the winner.
It was an eighth defeat in 11 games for City as their crisis continued to spiral, and Guardiola admitted he cannot find the answers.
“I’m the boss, I’m the manager, I have to find solutions but I don’t find solutions,” Guardiola said.
“This is a big club and when you lose eight of [11] something is wrong. You can say the schedule is tough or the injuries to players, but no.
“I’m the manager and I’m not good enough, simple as that. I have to find a way to talk to them, to train them in the way we need to play, to press the way we need to press. I’m not good enough. I’m not doing well. That is the truth.”
Guardiola signed a new two-year contract in November at a point when City had lost four in a row, saying he did not feel he could leave the club at a difficult time.
Now he is facing questions as to how – and when – he can stop the rot.
“I’m here,” he said. “I’m responsible. It would be easy for me to say we lost because of this action or this player or this situation but football is a team.
“I’m completely convinced in what I’m saying, that I’m not good enough to find a way for them to feel peace in their bodies and their minds. I want it desperately. I’m here to try and I will try again and again but that is the reality.”
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Amad Diallo of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates in the 2-1 Premier League win against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on December 15, 2024. Getty Images -
Amad Diallo of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal. Getty Images -
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during the game. Getty Images -
Amad Diallo of Manchester United scores his team's winner. Getty Images -
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United scores his team's first goal from the penalty spot. Getty Images -
Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Ruben Dias. Getty Images -
Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City scores his team's opening goal. Getty Images -
Tempers flare after a coming together between Manchester City's Kyle Walker and Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund. PA -
Manchester City's Phil Foden has a shot. EPA -
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim consoles Mason Mount after he was substituted following another injury. Reuters -
Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City takes on Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United. Getty Images -
Jeremy Doku of Manchester City is closed down by Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United. Getty Images -
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola before the kick-off. Getty Images
Ruben Amorim celebrated his second win over Guardiola in six weeks, and one that can provide some foundations for his rebuild of United.
“I think we did a great job, we controlled it very well,” the former Sporting boss said.
“We didn’t allow much, of course we don’t create so much either but it was a divided game. But we believed a lot.
“It was different from Arsenal, we controlled the Arsenal game in the first half but I didn’t feel that belief. Today I felt it and I think that was the key point to change the game.
“I think for the fans it has a deep meaning especially in this context, this moment, but we had a difficult moment one week ago against Nottingham [Forest] at home, in the storm.
“After this match we are more happy, three points, but we have to continue and don’t stop. Next week we are playing again and it will change the way we see the team. Today is a good day, let’s enjoy it for 10 minutes and then think about the next game.”
Defeat left City in fifth place in the Premier League, nine points off leaders Liverpool who also havbe a game in hand.
Victory kept United in 13th place after 16 games but moved them to with five points of City.
