Manchester United vs Man City LIVE score: Result and reaction as Fernandes and Rashford complete turnaround
Manchester United 2-1 Man City: Fernandes and Rashford’s late goals overcome Jack Grealish’s effort
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.In-form Marcus Rashford scored a late winner as Manchester United came from behind to beat rivals Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday, a victory that moves them to within a point of the champions in the Premier League standings.
The hosts had the best chances of a tense first half at Old Trafford, with in-form England forward Rashford seeing a tame effort blocked on the line by Manuel Akanji, while City struggled to get going.
City were much improved after the break, and the pressure told as Jack Grealish stepped off the bench to head his side into the lead in the 61st minute, on the end of a superb cross from the ever-reliable assist-maker Kevin De Bruyne.
However, with United looking second best, they produced a remarkable turnaround, out of nowhere, to turn the match on its head.
There was an element of controversy about United’s equaliser in the 78th minute, with Rashford initially flagged offside as Bruno Fernandes swept the ball home, with the goal given following a VAR review.
Rashford was then the hero once again for United, scoring for the seventh successive match in all competitions to snatch a thrilling late win for the hosts, who made it nine victories in a row in all competitions to close the gap to City in second.
Follow all the reaction from Old Trafford with our live blog below:
Erik ten Hag tells Man Utd players to forget derby thrashing ahead of rematch
Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United’s players to forget their 6-3 thrashing by Manchester City in October because they can only change the future, not the past.
United host Pep Guardiola’s team on Saturday but rather than using his first Manchester derby to motivate his players, Ten Hag will tell them to show the bravery to play, but without being naïve.
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden scored hat-tricks in the match at the Etihad Stadium, when United were 6-1 down before a late double by Anthony Martial.
But Ten Hag said: “It is not about that game any more. That is the past, it is about the future, You can’t change the past but you can change the future.
“It was a lesson and we took that lesson and from that point on we make huge progress so we have to continue the progress. That game was a setback. We can all find reasons why but always you have to act, to deliver.”
Erik ten Hag tells Man Utd players to forget derby thrashing ahead of rematch
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden scored hat-tricks in a 6-3 win in October
Erik ten Hag starts to shift balance of power ahead of Manchester derby
It was the day when Erik ten Hag’s definition of respect was questioned, along with his tactics, writes Richard Jolly.
Four-one down in a Manchester derby, he chose not to introduce the record scorer in footballing history. “I wouldn’t bring him in out of respect for Cristiano,” he said and, as Manchester City’s advantage extended to 6-1 before Anthony Martial, the striker substitute he did call upon, scored twice, few credited him with a successful switch.
If it was one of a series of controversies around Cristiano Ronaldo that Ten Hag had to navigate with a blend of diplomacy, toughness and principle, it came at a precarious point in his reign at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag has started to shift the balance of power in Manchester
Pep Guardiola’s Man City have been the Premier League’s dominant side but Man United look on the rise once more
The nine days that could decide the Premier League title
At the top of Arsenal, the hierarchy share a view that has been discussed by supporters, and even within the squad. They believe that, if the club are to really maximise an opportunity at the Premier League title at this early stage of the team’s development, they probably need at least one significant signing in this window. They need the depth.
Manchester City’s 1-0 win at Chelsea was a warning. It wasn’t that Arsenal couldn’t manage such a victory, given they’ve already won at Stamford Bridge. It was the manner that City did it.
Just when it looked like they might be wavering following a 1-1 draw against Everton and an intense Christmas period after the World Cup, where Arsenal had initially stretched the gap, the champions again cut it by emphasising the financial gap. More than £160m worth of talent came off the bench in Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez and the two combined to win the game. The feeling within the buoyant City squad immediately afterwards was of one of those victories that means much more than the three points; that it can be the start of one of those title-winning streaks.
There’s that continuing sense City could just up it.
Our Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney discusses the nine days that could decide the Premier League title:
The nine days that could decide the Premier League title
Premier League: The nine days that could decide the title between Arsenal and Man City
Man Utd prepared for Pep Guardiola mind games, Erik ten Hag claims
Erik ten Hag said Manchester United are prepared for any mind games Pep Guardiola is trying ahead of the Manchester derby and insisted he does not care about them.
Guardiola set the scene for Saturday’s clash at Old Trafford on Tuesday when he said he had some “ridiculous ideas” for the match.
The Manchester City manager has a habit of making surprise selections or trying unusual tactics, particularly in big games, but Ten Hag, who worked under him at Bayern Munich, has vowed to be ready for any unorthodox decisions.
He said: “I don’t care about that, what he is thinking, but he did it more often and we are prepared for that, if he does different things. We have our principles, our rules.”
Man Utd prepared for Pep Guardiola mind games, Erik ten Hag claims
The two rivals meet at Old Trafford on Saturday
Bruno Fernandes lifts lid on ‘punishment’ that kickstarted Man Utd’s return to form
Bruno Fernandes was part way through a 13.8-kilometre run in 33-degree heat when he turned around and realised a man in his fifties was just behind him. Not just any 52-year-old, admittedly, but the Manchester United manager. It was an early sign of the iron resolve of Erik ten Hag, the man whose commitment to high standards extends to his own fitness.
For Fernandes, who had considered his own future last season when he wondered if United’s ambitions extended beyond finishing fourth, it was a reassuring sight. Ten Hag was sharing the pain and sharing the blame after a terrible start to his reign.
Richard Jolly details the moment Bruno Fernandes got on board with the Ten Hag era:
Bruno Fernandes lifts lid on ‘punishment’ that kickstarted Man Utd’s return to form
Erik ten Hag endured a terrible start to his time at Old Trafford but now faces rivals Manchester City off the back of eight successive victories
Man Utd vs Man City team news
Interesting line-ups there.
From a Man Utd perspective, Anthony Martial was suffering with a leg injury that prevented him training this week but has been declared fit to play and starts up front. A slight surprise as Luke Shaw continues at centre-back, Tyrrell Malacia at left-back and Lisandro Martinez on the bench. Fred also plays, rather than the more attacking Antony.
For Manchester City, injuries to John Stones and Ruben Dias mean Nathan Ake moves inside to CB with the out-of-form and out-of-favour Joao Cancelo at left-back. Phil Foden starts instead of Jack Grealish in the front three with Riyad Mahrez and Erling Haaland.
Man Utd vs Man City team news
Confirmed line-ups
Man Utd XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia; Casemiro, Fred, Eriksen; Fernandes, Martial, Rashford
Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Ake, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Foden
Manchester United vs Manchester City team news
The teams should be announced any minute now as we move within an hour of kick-off.
Man Utd vs Man City: The best derby moments
Man City 2-3 Man Utd – April 2018
Pep Guardiola’s side had the mouthwatering prospect of sealing the Premier League title with victory over their city rivals.
They looked on course to do that as first-half goals from Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan put them 2-0 up at half-time.
But Jose Mourinho had other ideas and whatever he said to his United team at half-time worked wonders as United staged the ultimate second-half comeback.
Two Paul Pogba goals in three minutes drew them level and then Chris Smalling’s volley completed the turnaround and kept City’s champagne on ice.
Man Utd vs Man City: The best derby moments
Man City 2-3 Man Utd – December 2012
City were defending champions following Sergio Aguero’s famous moment a few months earlier and the two sides were again going at it at the top of the Premier League.
Wayne Rooney’s two goals inside the opening half-hour put the visitors in control but Yaya Toure pulled one back and then Pablo Zabaleta appeared to have earned City a draw in the 86th minute.
But Robin van Persie had the final say, sending in a stoppage-time free-kick which sparked ugly scenes in the stands.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments