Two goals in the space of four second-half minutes swung a tense derby Manchester United’s way on Saturday lunchtime as the Red Devils crept one point behind Manchester City with a 2-1 victory.
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford struck in the final 12 minutes, overturning Jack Grealish’s 60th-minute opener as Erik ten Hag’s side recorded a ninth consecutive victory across all competitions, consigning City to a second straight defeat as the Red Devils joined their city rivals in the Premier League top three.
As is often the case in a derby, particularly one with repercussions towards the top of the table, the opening half-hour was a cagey affair. Although, neither team could be accused of over-caution. City invariably dominated possession but had the cogs of their buildup clogged by United’s front-foot approach.
At each turnover, United rapidly funnelled the ball into the feet of Marcus Rashford. The royally in-form forward repeatedly hared into the acres of space City’s advanced backline afforded the hosts. Rashford rounded Ederson entirely in the 34th minute but had his effort cleared off the line by Manuel Akanji. Eye-to-eye with the Brazilian keeper moments later, Rashford couldn’t squeeze the ball past Ederson.
By alternating the players that offered to receive the ball from the centre-backs, City began to tease open the stitching of Manchester United’s well-drilled shape.
Kevin De Bruyne had Fred draped over him like a red scarf for the vast majority of the opening hour but eventually escaped the Brazilian’s clutches. With Riyad Mahrez and Kyle Walker distracting Fred and Tyrell Malacia, De Bruyne scurried unchecked into United’s box. Jack Grealish, three minutes after his substitution, nodded in De Bruyne’s cross, giving City the lead with their first shot on target in more than two hours of football.
United had offered precious little threat in the second half before Bruno Fernandes knocked City out of their swagger in the 79th minute. City’s backline switched off as Rashford moved towards Casemiro’s pass from an offside position. However, the canny forward didn’t touch the ball, letting it roll through for Fernandes to sweep United level. Despite the initial flutter of the assistant’s flag, VAR deemed that Rashford hadn’t interfered, awarding the equaliser.
Rashford emphatically was interfering in all the best ways possible for United four minutes later. United caught City scattered in transition, Alejandro Garnacho jinked away from Nathan Ake – the…
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