Manchester United launched a quickfire late comeback to beat local rivals Manchester City 2-1 at Old Trafford this afternoon.
Erik ten Hag's side moved to within one point of the champions courtesy of goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford within three minutes of each other, cancelling out Jack Grealish's opener.
The result makes it nine wins in a row for Man United across all competitions and also marks a significant turnaround in their season, having been humiliated in a 6-3 defeat at the hands of the same opponents earlier in the campaign.
It took time for the derby to really get going, but Grealish's introduction off the bench proved to be the spark it needed as he broke the deadlock shortly after coming on, scoring with Man City's first shot on target for more than 200 minutes.
However, Man United launched their turnaround when an offside Rashford left the ball for Fernandes to equalise, with the goal ultimately being allowed by the officials despite the linesman initially raising his flag against Rashford.
The in-form England international then sealed the points for his side three minutes later, poking home from close range after good work from Alejandro Garnacho.
United's win lifts them up to third in the Premier League table, now only one point behind Man City and six adrift of leaders Arsenal.
HIGHLIGHTS
11th min: The first sight of goal falls to Man United as Christian Eriksen lays the ball into the path of Bruno Fernandes, who tries to drill the ball into the bottom far corner but drags it a few yards wide.
34th min: Huge chance for Manchester United as Marcus Rashford breaks in behind the defence and beats Ederson, who has come charging off his line, to the ball. The in-form striker takes it around the Man City keeper, but the angle is against him and he has to steady himself, allowing Manuel Akanji the time to get back and clear his eventual shot off the line.
Where was Ederson going? 😅 pic.twitter.com/6YbD1Y6j5x
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 14, 2023
36th min: Half a chance for Man City at the other end of the pitch as Kevin De Bruyne finally escapes Fred for a moment and picks out a pinpoint cross into the box, but Phil Foden slightly overruns it and cannot threaten with his header.
37th min: Rashford is in behind again as Eriksen slides the ball through, but the striker's second touch is a bit too heavy and Ederson comes out to smother the ball just before Rashford can poke it past him.
45+1 min: Kyle Walker looks to provide a stunning end to a fairly anti-climactic first half as he lets fly from range, but his powerful strike swerves a couple of yards wide of the target.
60th min: GOAL! MAN UNITED 0-1 MAN CITY Just as he did against Chelsea last week, Jack Grealish makes an immediate impact off the bench! Three minutes after coming on he is on the end of a lovely dinked cross from De Bruyne, planting his header home from close range. De Bruyne was the creator, escaping the attention of Casemiro before standing his cross up to the back post.
Jack Grealish scores off the bench to give Man City a derby lead! âš½
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 14, 2023
What a time to bag his second of the season! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/xScG02EcK2
79th min: GOAL! MAN UNITED 1-1 MAN CITY Manchester United equalise as Bruno Fernandes latches on to Casemiro's pass and sweeps a confident finish past Ederson! It is a slightly controversial one as the linesman's flag initially went up against Marcus Rashford, who was offside and went towards the ball before leaving it for the onside Fernandes. Rashford is inches away from the ball but did not seem to touch it, and after a brief chat the officials decide that he was not interfering in play, and the goal stands!
Bruno Fernandes causes scenes at Old Trafford! 💥
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 14, 2023
His goal is ruled onside after the linesman initially put his flag up! ✅ pic.twitter.com/AJDIGH2Be5
82nd min: GOAL! MAN UNITED 2-1 MAN CITY Incredible turnaround from the hosts as Rashford maintains his relentless recent scoring streak by poking past Ederson from close range! Fernandes plays the ball through to Alejandro Garnacho, who sees his first cross blocked but then works a yard to put in a second low cross into the area, where Rashford is waiting unmarked to convert.
Marcus Rashford is at it again! 🔥
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 14, 2023
Alejandro Garnacho and Man Utd's number 10 combine to put the home side 2-1 up in the derby! âš½ pic.twitter.com/kaUSgVv1iL
MAN OF THE MATCH - MARCUS RASHFORD
© Reuters
Despite all of the late drama, it took a while for this derby to get going and as such there were not many players who stood out as clear candidates for this award.
We have given it to the match-winner Rashford as he had a hand in both of the goals, leaving the ball smartly when he was in an offside position for the equaliser before scoring the winner himself moments later.
Bruno Fernandes was also involved in both goals and deserves a mention, but Rashford equalling the Manchester United record of scoring in nine successive home games in all competitions - a record which had stood since 1959 - just about nudges him in front.
STANDOUT MOMENT
© Reuters
There was fury from the Manchester United players - Fernandes in particular - when their equaliser was initially chalked off for offside, with the linesman deeming that Rashford had interfered in play despite Fernandes applying the finish.
However, after a brief talk between the referee and the linesman it was ruled that the Englishman had in fact not interfered with play, allowing the equaliser to stand and laying the foundations for the stirring comeback which followed.
Rashford did really well not to interfere with play too as he was favourite to get on the end of the ball at one stage, but he listened to the shout from Fernandes and just about managed to prevent himself from touching the ball, which in turn allowed Fernandes to convert past Ederson.
The Man City players were not happy with the decision, but ultimately it was the right call in the end.
BEST STATS
5 - Kevin De Bruyne has now reached double figures for assists in five different Premier League seasons, with only @cesc4official (6) doing so in more different campaigns in the competition's history. Givers. #MUNMCI pic.twitter.com/pOsy9yUgBb
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 14, 2023
7 - Marcus Rashford is the first Manchester United player to score in seven consecutive appearances (all competitions) since Cristiano Ronaldo in April 2008. Golden. pic.twitter.com/fXGhvABKPR
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 14, 2023
😈 - @MarcusRashford equals the club record of netting in 9 successive Manchester United home matches in all competitions, set by Dennis Viollet from August to December 1959. #MUNMCI #PL
— Gracenote Live (@GracenoteLive) January 14, 2023
MATCH STATS
Possession: Man United 30%-70% Man City
Shots: Man United 8-5 Man City
Shots on target: Man United 4-1 Man City
Corners: Man United 1-2 Man City
Fouls: Man United 15-5 Man City
LINEUPS
MAN UNITED (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia (Martinez 90+3'); Casemiro (McTominay 90+2'), Fred; Fernandes, Eriksen (Garnacho 72'), Rashford (Maguire 90+2'); Martial (Antony 46')
MAN CITY (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Ake, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Foden (Grealish 57')
No Data Analysis info
