Manchester United’s Latest Comeback Wins

Amad Diallo inspired an astonishing turnaround in Sunday’s Manchester derby, but where does it rank among Manchester United‘s latest comeback wins in the Premier League?

Manchester United have cultivated a reputation for late winners and dramatic comebacks over the years. Arguably the most famous win in the club’s history saw them score two at the death to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the 1998-99 UEFA Champions League final.

Sunday brought another in a long line of late wins, as Amad Diallo inspired an historic derby-day win at the home of their rivals, Manchester City.

It doesn’t quite beat the latest turnaround in the club’s Premier League history, but it did come close. So where does it rank among the club’s latest comeback wins?

90th Minute: Manchester United 2-1 Brentford, 7 October 2023

A dramatic win over Brentford in October 2023 was United’s latest comeback victory in the Premier League, with Scott McTominay the main man on the day.

Erik ten Hag’s beleaguered side were staring down the barrel of a seventh defeat in 11 matches. Had Brentford held on to win 1-0, it would’ve consigned United to their worst start in Premier League history over the first eight games of a season.

They were still trailing with 92:46 on the clock, and yet they still managed to turn it around; never before in the Premier League have they been behind so late in a match and still gone on to win.

McTominay levelled with an instinctive shot inside the box despite an awkward bounce, and then he then sent Old Trafford into raptures as he latched on to Harry Maguire’s header to nod home.

88th Minute: Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United, 15 December 2024

Amad Diallo earned United a barely deserved dramatic late win in a Manchester derby in December 2024 – a game in which Manchester City had led as late as 87:10.

United didn’t create much at all for the majority of the game, going behind in the first half to Josko Gvardiol’s header and failing to register their first shot on target until the 62nd minute.

But Diallo was their brightest spark throughout the game and he produced two moments of magic to turn the game around within the space of two minutes. First the Ivorian won a penalty that Bruno Fernandes converted, and then he ran through on goal to score the late winner.

It was the latest into a game that a reigning champion has led in the Premier League and lost. A truly astonishing comeback from United, and a crazy implosion from City.

87th Minute: Southampton 2-3 Manchester United, 2 September 2012

This game held the record for Man Utd’s latest comeback win in the Premier League era for over a decade ago. Robin van Persie was the hero on that occasion.

Rickie Lambert and Morgan Schneiderlin scored headers either side of Van Persie’s brilliant chest-down and volley, with United then trailing until 86:54. Rio Ferdinand nodded against the post, but Van Persie was on hand to smash in the rebound to equalise again.

He then got United’s unlikely, dramatic winner with 91:11 on the clock, glancing home Nani’s corner to complete his first hat-trick for the club and a tremendous victory.

86th Minute: Manchester United 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday, 10 April 1993

United took a huge leap towards their first Premier League title – and first league championship since 1967 – in April 1993 when they stunned Sheffield Wednesday at Old Trafford.

Steve Bruce levelled the game in the 86^th minute on this occasion with a fine header, setting up a grandstand finish, which led to a United winner six minutes into stoppage time.

Gary Pallister’s delivery was deflected kindly into the path of Bruce, who got his second of the game, sparking the now-iconic touchline celebrations of Sir Alex Ferguson and assistant Brian Kidd, with the latter dropping to his knees after bursting onto the pitch.

They duly went on to win the title.

85th Minute: Manchester United 2-1 Middlesbrough, 31 December 2016

This win may not have been as important as that comeback against Wednesday, but it was similarly dramatic.

Grant Leadbitter had drilled Middlesbrough in front with just over an hour played, and for a while that looked as though it’d be enough to at least earn the visitors a point.

Anthony Martial had other ideas, however. He poked home for José Mourinho’s men with 84:31 on the clock, and they didn’t have to wait much longer for a second goal.

Paul Pogba headed in Juan Mata’s delivery one minute and 26 seconds later, clinching a thrilling late turnaround with Ferguson – mastermind of many a comeback – fittingly watching on in the stands.

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