Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter at the Etihad Stadium

With a midweek EFL Cup trip to Tottenham, the usual Christmas rush of fixtures and a January that includes two Europa League games and a midweek Premier League game - and maybe a two-legged League Cup semi-final as well - Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho's Manchester United exile is unlikely to last too long.

However, United head coach Ruben Amorim has made his point - and come up with the biggest win of his short reign in charge.

He has clearly set a standard he wants to see matched by his players and feels Rashford and Garnacho are falling short.

By his words alone, the pair have a chance to redeem themselves. But, after years of players seemingly becoming untouchable as a succession of managers come and go, Amorim has quickly made his presence felt.

The answer lies with Rashford and Garnacho. If they don't respond positively, don't expect them to be hanging around too long.

Southampton

Here is what BBC pundit Danny Murphy had to say about Southampton sacking Russell Martin on Match of the Day 2.

"They have imploded a lot. Football is ruthless and when you are at the bottom and the hierarchy and supporters want to stay up, you are going to get moved on," Murphy said.

"Someone else is going to come in and have a hell of a job but I think it's too late.

"You have to be more flexible than he [Martin] was. Ultimately, in the Premier League if your recruitment isn't very good and you don't have a lot of Premier League experience, you are going to struggle and that is what happened."

Southampton

It's not looking good for Southampton...

The Saints have picked up just five points from their first 16 Premier League matches this season (W1 D2 L13), with Sheffield United in 2020-21 the only team to have picked up fewer points at this stage of the campaign in Premier League history (two points).

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

On Marcus Rashford, in particular, Ruben Amorim said that it was time to try "something different" in a bid to draw the level of performances out of a player he clearly believes is capable of much more.

"It was not a disciplinary thing, small details," he said of the England forward, who has scored seven goals in 24 appearances for Manchester United in all competitions.

"It is the performance in training, in things. Jonny Evans did everything right and he is at home, if it is disciplinary I would say it here.

"It is just I want to improve my players. For so long we try a thing with Rash, it doesn’t work, let’s continue or [try] something different?

"If they train well with the talent we have, we will be so much better with both of them [Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho]. New week, new life."

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

Amad Diallo's decisive impact on the Manchester derby could not have worked out better for United manager Ruben Amorim after he made the bold call to drop both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

Amorim was at pains to stress - before and after the match - that his decision was NOT over a disciplinary issue, but a judgement call based on what he had seen in and around the training ground in the build-up to the game.

He was also clear what Rashford and Garnacho must work on to earn their way back into first-team reckoning.

"It is important to say why, it was not a disciplinary thing," he said. "Next game, new life, but the performance in training, the way you eat, the way you push your team-mates - everything is important in the beginning of something.

"When people in your club are losing their jobs, we have to put the standards really high. They have to fight for their place in the team and today we prove we can leave anyone out and win."

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football

After an eventful weekend of football, send BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty your questions and he will answer them throughout the day.

To send your questions in to Phil, use all of the usual channels.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca on if his side are in a Premier League title race: "No matter how many games we win, there are things we are not ready to compete for, such as the Premier League title.

"The goal we conceded doesn't happen to a team with experience."

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport

Chelsea moved within touching distance of Premier League leaders Liverpool with a narrow victory over Brentford at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca's side now sit second in the table two points behind the Reds, who have the advantage of having played a game less.

However, Chelsea's seventh consecutive win in all competitions will only serve to underline their status as genuine title contenders.

Marc Cucurella's first-half header set them on their way against Brentford, with the left-back stealing in to nod in from Noni Madueke's curling delivery from the right wing.

However, the Spaniard was later shown a second yellow card after the final whistle after appearing to shove Kevin Schade, to sour an evening when he ought to have just been celebrating his first goal since May 2022.

Chelsea's second came in the closing stages when centre forward Nicolas Jackson sprinted on to Enzo Fernandez's pass to dispatch a low shot past Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken into the right corner.

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton

Whoever takes over the reins at Southampton has an almighty task in securing their Premier League status for next season.

The Saints are rock bottom of the table with just five points from 16 games and are already nine points from safety.

A reminder that Derby currently hold the record for lowest Premier League points at the end of the season with 11...

Danny Murphy
Former England midfielder on Match of the Day 2

Amad Diallo was outstanding. Talk about someone trying to impress a new manager.

He is competing against some really good players and now he has said to the manager 'you can't leave me out'.

He turned that game on its head.

Amad Diallo, 22, struggled for consistent minutes under Erik ten Hag, but is now shining under Ruben Amorim.

Has he got what to takes to be one of Manchester United's top wingers?

Amad Diallo had more touches in the opposition box (10) than any other player in Sunday's Manchester derby. He was also ranked top for shots on target (2), successful dribbles (5) and sprints (26) and joint-top for number of shots (10).

Amad Diallo was the star of the show in Sunday's Manchester derby, and it was his hunger and desire that made the difference in the end.

Even before United's amazing late comeback to win at Etihad Stadium, Diallo had been the bright spark for the entire game.

He was the one player on the pitch who was playing with freedom and fearlessness, and also the only one from either side who seemed to be enjoying himself and trying to make an impact whenever he got on the ball.

There was so much safe play out there from both teams, but Diallo was different and he eventually got his reward for his endeavour, first by winning the penalty that led to United's equaliser which changed the momentum of the game, and then scoring their winner a few seconds later.

Image source, Getty Images

Read Silva's comments here, and watch Pep Guardiola's response here.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Pep Guardiola's 'I'm not good enough' comments come less than a month after he signed a two-year contract extension.

Every so often down the years he has said he knows if he doesn't do well, he is at risk of the sack just like any other manager. No-one ever took it seriously.

Still, there is no real expectation that will happen. Guardiola has won four Premier League titles in a row. Manchester City won the Treble in 2023.

But he does have to find answers to this current downturn in fortunes. It seems inevitable at least part of the answer to a run of eight defeats in 11 games will come through the January transfer window as it feels like too many players are nowhere near their peak levels.

However, there is also a clear lack of confidence in his players. On Sunday, with City ahead against opponents who are not in good form themselves, a second half surge was expected.

It just did not materialise. Mindset has never been a problem at City. Guardiola needs to get that right. And for that, he needs to be more sure of himself.