It could have been Marcus Rashford stealing in to win a late penalty at the Etihad. It could have been Rashford racing onto Lisandro Martinez’s pass in the 90th-minute to score a dramatic winner for Manchester United. But Rashford wasn’t even in the stadium when Amad Diallo led United’s sensational late comeback to win the 195th Manchester derby.
![[Amad Diallo produced two decisive contributions in the dying minutes of the match at the Etihad]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/00/93179431-14195821-image-a-20_1734309522388.jpg)
He was sat at home in Cheshire contemplating the latest wrong turn in a career that now feels in danger of falling seriously short of expectations. The bitter irony is that days like this should be made for Rashford: the boy from Wythenshawe who turned down City to join United and become a hometown hero.
![[The young winger was the pride of the red half of Manchester after his stunning display]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/00/93179427-14195821-image-a-22_1734309644723.jpg)
And there have been days like this. The day in January 2023 when he scored a late winner to complete another 2-1 comeback win for United amid delirious scenes at Old Trafford; or December 2019 when United won by the same scoreline at the Etihad and he scored another of his six career goals against City; or that fabulous crossfield pass at Wembley in May that led to United’s second goal as they shocked City in the FA Cup final.
![[Erik ten Hag tried to keep Rashford on the straight and narrow, disciplining the player after he was criticised for going out to Chinawhite]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/00/93179461-14195821-image-a-23_1734309760823.jpg)
When Pep Guardiola’s side were left beaten and dazed yesterday (sun), however, Rashford was nowhere to be seen. Marcus Rashford was dropped from the Manchester United squad that took on City in the derby on Sunday. Amad Diallo produced two decisive contributions in the dying minutes of the match at the Etihad.
![[Former Manchester United skipper Roy Keane believes that a move away from United would do Rashford good]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/00/93179523-14195821-image-a-24_1734310038295.jpg)
The young winger was the pride of the red half of Manchester after his stunning display. Ruben Amorim insisted that the decision to axe him and Alejandro Garnacho from the squad wasn’t for disciplinary reasons, but it certainly felt that way as United’s new head coach reeled off his concerns.
![[Alejandro Garnacho was also cut from the squad that took on City by Ruben Amorim on Sunday]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/00/93179537-14195821-image-a-25_1734310116730.jpg)
