I saw a heartbroken Manchester United player need a cuddle - despite stunning win against Man City

Unsurprisingly, Manchester City's players were not in the mood to talk after the Manchester derby. Manchester United snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and not even the member of City staff who is employed to say goodbye to their players could raise a smile from them.

Kevin De Bruyne looked at him confused, almost offended to hear a cheery voice after the defeat. United's players wore black leather jackets for the game and Tom Heaton joked he could wear his on a night out. The derby was played on a Sunday but some United fans partied in town.

Those who attended the game at the Etihad will have croaky voices on Monday and some will have sore heads, all caused by a few moments of brilliance from a 22-year-old called Amad.

United recorded their first win at the Etihad since March 2021 and the stadium was half empty before the referee had blew the final whistle, as most City fans had seen enough.

ALSO READ: Maguire breaks silence on his future after derby victory

ALSO READ: I saw what Zirkzee did after Amad goal - fans will love it

The mixed zone, the area where players walk through and can talk to journalists, can be illuminating after special games and there was plenty of colour as both sides left the ground.

Rapper Aitch, who is a huge United supporter, was floating around the press room before the game and was down in the mixed zone by the end of the evening. “Well played, you smashed it,” he told a buzzing Kobbie Mainoo as the pair exchanged a handshake and said a few brief words.

Mainoo was named on the bench against City but was introduced to the game after just 10 minutes when Mason Mount slumped to the turf after picking up a non-contact injury.

Mount looked close to tears. He was consoled by Bruno Fernandes as he came off the pitch and a member of United staff accompanied him as he went straight down the tunnel.

The 25-year-old has looked sharp since he returned to fitness and it was just three days before the derby that Mount made an excellent cameo against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. He was deservedly given a start against City and it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Mount.

After a disappointing first year in Manchester, Mount wanted to get himself in peak physical condition for the 2024/25 campaign and underwent a summer boot camp in Portugal.

That paid dividends in pre-season when Mount stood out with his physicality, however, he suffered a muscle injury a few weeks into the season and the cards just haven't fallen for him.

Amorim has said Mount "wants it really badly" and that was evident as Mount left the dressing room with a crestfallen look on his face. He looked heartbroken to have picked up another issue and someone who was standing next to Aitch offered him a cuddle, which he accepted.

Professional players receive pelters for being injured but none of them choose to pick up injuries. They are handsomely paid for their work, of course, but it can be forgotten they are human and picking up an injury when you have worked hard to return is bound to be demoralising.

Hopefully Mount's injury isn't anything serious and he will be back in a squad sooner rather than later because he is desperate to succeed and is fighting to have his day in the sun.

Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte took time to speak in the mixed zone and produced some good quotes. Dalot said "there will be no space" for players who aren't willing to suffer and Maguire confirmed that talks over a new contract were under way with the club.

Ugarte had a wide smile on his face while being interviewed, while Bruno Fernandes was in a mischievous mood and pulled a jokey face behind Maguire as he spoke to a handful of reporters.

The United communications staff didn't catch the ending of the game with their own eyes as they were made to come inside before the final whistle. They watched the final minutes of the contest on a TV in the room next to the tunnel and it went silent when Amad scored the winner.