(Football news) Old Trafford erupted in celebration when Marcus Rashford found the back of the net in the 82nd minute, capitalising on Alejandro Garnacho’s assist to make it 2-1 for the Red Devils. Erik ten Hag’s side had made a stunning comeback within a space of four minutes when Bruno Fernandes scored the equaliser in the most controversial of circumstances as Marcus Rashford was offside in the build up. However, the goal stood, much to City and Pep Guardiola’s frustration. Earlier, substitute Jack Grealish scored the opening goal of the match at the hour mark with a towering header, as City looked to do the double over their rivals once again.
Manchester United’s performance was a stark contrast to their 6-3 thrashing at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season and Erik ten Hag’s side are now just one point behind Manchester City in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola was forced to come to terms with a second consecutive defeat for his side, with this one being on his 500th match in-charge of Manchester City in what was undoubtedly a below par performance with just one shot on target. As for Manchester United, they have now won nine consecutive games in all competitions, 12 consecutive games at Old Trafford and could potentially be in the title race if they defeat Arsenal next Sunday.
In team news, Erik ten Hag made nine changes from the team that featured in the Carabao Cup with Luke Shaw starting in centre back over Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof while Anthony Martial featured in the starting lineup. As for City, Guardiola made eight changes with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden starting in attack while Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji featured at centre back.
In-form Marcus Rashford has now scored in each of his last seven appearances in all competitions (8 goals in total), becoming the first player to do so since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008. He has also scored in each of his last nine appearances at Old Trafford, being the first player to do so since Teddy Sheringham in November 2000.
“It’s similar to when I played Champions League finals against Manchester United and since I’ve been here, a transition team, with Rooney, Ronaldo. In the first half we were not in the right position when we lost the ball to avoid them running. It’s a similar game we played many times here, knowing the quality of the opponent, the history of this club and playing in Old Trafford.
“We missed a little bit up front in quality, sometimes that happens, that’s not a problem… but today was completely different to Southampton and we congratulate United for the victory. We are not going to win [the league] every year for the next 25 years. We want to try but I want us to behave in this way.
“We lost the Carabao Cup three days ago but it’s about the way we lost… I was really really sad. Today I said to the players, ‘with this personality, they run behind us most of the time, the history for this club, the transition, they are really good doing this, so to control that you have to sit back’ but that is not the way we want to try to do it. We were close but not close enough, missed a bit up front but in general with the performance I’m satisfied.” – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
“We’ve improved, that’s obvious. A lot of aspects in our game we have to improve but we’re progressing, that’s quite obvious. After half time we didn’t come out well, City changed something to give us problems, and we struggled, and tried to get back control of the first half. In the first half we played brilliantly, so good [in terms of] tactical organisation, so proactive with a good block, created good opportunities and chances… At half time we should have had the lead in this game. But after half time it was completely different, we didn’t get the press on the ball and didn’t get the control inside.
“We often talk about tactics progressing but one of the main jobs from a coaching staff is to work on the mentality of the team. That has a lot of elements and one is resilience. This team is progressing [in how they] deal with setbacks, suffering, painful moments and keep going after a goal against. We are much better able to deal with situations compared to a couple of months ago.
“The fans may dream [of the title] but we’re not. We have to keep our feet on the ground and face that in our game [we have] a lot to improve. It can’t happen that after half time we’re losing so much control in the game and getting down. It’s not necessary. In top football small details have a big impact and we have to keep working on that.” – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag
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