Amorim Bemoans Avoidable Goals as Manchester City Outclass United in Derby
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has expressed his disappointment after watching his side slump to a 3-0 defeat against rivals Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.
A Phil Foden header opened the scoring for Pep Guardiola’s men before Erling Haaland delivered a ruthless second-half brace to seal an emphatic win for the hosts.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the loss, Amorim lamented the manner in which United conceded.
“If you look at the goals, we can avoid those goals. That was the biggest difference. We can do better, especially the second goal. The third goal too—we lacked quality in the connection, people didn’t know who was going to the ball, and then the guy is free to score,” Amorim said.
“In these kinds of games, we need to be perfect and in this game we were not perfect. The frustration is always the same because with the amount of chances we had, we need to score goals.”
The Portuguese tactician admitted City were superior in transitions, a factor that punished United heavily in the second half.
Opinion: United’s Harsh Reality Check
Manchester United’s derby defeat was more than just another bad day at the office—it was a brutal reminder of the gulf in quality between themselves and City at this moment. While Amorim is right to highlight the avoidable nature of the goals, the broader issue is clear: United remain a team still searching for identity and sharpness under his leadership.
City, on the other hand, showed once again why they are the benchmark. Efficient, ruthless, and composed, Guardiola’s men made United pay for every mistake. Amorim’s frustration about missed chances is justified, but in truth, United rarely looked like matching City’s intensity across 90 minutes.
If United are to close the gap, it won’t just be about avoiding errors—it will require clinical finishing, a stronger midfield presence, and the mental steel to rise in big games. Sunday’s result was a derby lesson: perfection isn’t optional when facing Manchester City; it’s a requirement.
