Regaining a one-goal deficit, Manchester United rallied to defeat Manchester City 2-1 at Old Trafford in Premier League action on Saturday.
The Citizens took the lead on the hour thanks to a goal from Jack Grealish, but it didn’t last long as Bruno Fernandes equalised in the 78th minute and Marcus Rashford scored the game-winning goal in the 82nd.
Man United have now won nine consecutive games in all competitions, and they are now third in the league, only one point behind second-place Man City.
With the 20-time English champions winning their past six league matches, Erik ten Hag’s team is currently only six points behind the leaders Arsenal. Meanwhile, Manchester City is only five points back, and the Gunners are set to face Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday.
In the 11th minute, Christian Eriksen set up Fernandes inside the Man City penalty area, but the attacker’s shot went just wide of the far post.
After the Red Devils had taken the initiative, Anthony Martial searched for Marcus Rashford inside the away team’s box during a fast break, but Joao Cancelo made a crucial challenge.
In the 24th minute, Erling Braut Haaland had his first look at the Man United goal, but he was denied by a combination of defence from Casemiro and defence from Raphael Varane.
In the 33rd minute, Rashford had an excellent opportunity to put the home side ahead when he raced onto a through pass and rounded Ederson. However, the attacker was just boxed out by Man City defenders, and he was denied by a block from Kyle Walker.
In the 37th minute, Rashford had another chance as he raced down the left past Rodri and into the Man City box, but the Englishman’s final touch was too heavy, and Ederson came out to make the block.
It looked bad when Rashford fell down clutching his hip late in the first half, but the attacker managed to play through the pain and finish the scoreless first half.
Late in the first half, Man City’s Walker came close to taking the lead with a long-range effort that narrowly missed the goal.
Manchester United vs Manchester City – Halftime Updates
At halftime, Manchester United substituted Antony for Martial, who had been questionable with a leg injury leading up to the Manchester derby.
In the second half, Bernardo Silva had a shot that was deflected into De Gea’s arms, and then Ederson made a fantastic save from Raphael Varane (although the offside flag would have nullified the goal had it gone in).
The visitors got two penalty kicks through Phil Foden and then Joao Cancelo, but Man City responded with a positive moment when Kevin De Bruyne advanced down the right and delivered a cross towards Riyad Mahrez, whose header was cleared.
Grealish came in for Foden in the 57th minute, and just three minutes after his introduction, the England international scored by heading a De Bruyne cross into the back of the net.
In the 67th minute, Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a shot deflected just past of the Man City post, but in the 78th minute, Manchester United equalised thanks to a goal by Fernandes, who swept the ball into the bottom corner.
After an early offside flag was waved for Rashford, it was ruled that the Englishman had not made contact with the ball and the goal was allowed to stand, giving the Red Devils a chance to tie the game at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Manchester City – Who Won?
In the 82nd minute, Rashford gave en Hag’s team the lead when he met a low cross from Alejandro Garnacho and sent it through Ederson’s knees.
Haaland appealed for a penalty after being fouled by Casemiro in the 86th minute, but the video assistant referee upheld the referee’s decision, much to the displeasure of the blue squad.
Despite late pressure from Man City, Man United was able to hang on for a massive three points in the Manchester derby thanks to the introductions of Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, and Lisandro Martinez.
While Ten Hag’s squad travels to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, Manchester City faces Tottenham on Thursday.
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