MARCUS RASHFORD and Bruno Fernandes goals completed an incredible comeback for Manchester United against rivals Man City!
Jack Grealish opened the scoring, heading in from a Kevin De Bruyne cross just moments after his introduction.
However, Fernandes levelled on the 80th minute, with VAR playing its part to award the goal after Rashford was initially deemed to be offside.
And just moments later it was Rashford who poked his side into the lead to send Old Trafford into raptures.
The goals were enough to see the Red Devils claim the three points in the Manchester derby.
- Start time: 12:30pm GMT
- TV: BT Sport 1
- Live stream: BT Sport App
- Man Utd XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia, Casemiro, Fred, Eriksen, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial
- Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Ake, Cancelo, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Mahrez, Foden, Haaland
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Wout’s the one
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag revealed why he signed Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley.
Weghorst, who watched the Manchester derby from the stands, cut his loan stint at Besiktas short and will spend the rest of the season at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag said: “He is adding a type of striker we don’t have in this moment and I’ve known him for a long time and I’ve followed him through the leagues.”
The Dutchman added: “He’s a goalscorer definitely but also a type who will work for the team, who is a really good pressing player in defending, so he can contribute [there] as well”
Credit: Getty Fer having a laugh
Manchester United stars Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes struggled to hold back their smiles when asked about their controversial equaliser.
Both were quizzed about the incident and let out little laughs, though Fernandes defended the decision to allow the goal.
The playmaker said: “I was facing the goal, Marcus probably saw I was in a better position.
“I didn’t know if either of us was offside. He didn’t make any influence on the defenders. It is what it is”
Credit: Getty Casemiro stands out
Manchester United star Casemiro stood out once more with a stunning performance at Old Trafford.
The Brazil international ran United’s midfield against Manchester City.
And as the heat map shows, the midfielder was everywhere.
More below:
Erik ten Hag speaks
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, on the other hand, insists Bruno Fernandes’ goal correctly stood.
Ten Hag told BT Sport: “The first half we played very well. We defended very well. We were proactive, with good opportunities on the break.
“At half-time I was very happy with that, though we should have been 1-0 up. After that it changed, we had to sub [Anthony] Martial and that changed the game.
“We were not proactive any more, and just before I wanted to change, they scored. But the spirit in the team is so huge.
“The belief is there, that the game is 90 minutes and they can fight back. We are in a good direction but there is still a long way to go.
“It’s a confusing moment for the opponent. But if you follow the rules, he [Rashford] didn’t touch the ball, he was not interfering and it’s a goal. Bruno came from the back, I could see that from the other side”
Credit: AFP Pep Guardiola speaks
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists Manchester United’s equaliser shouldn’t have stood as Marcus Rashford was offside in the build-up.
Guardiola told BT Sport: “We played really good. They are an incredible threat in their transitions, I congratulate the team. They run behind us and punished us in the transitions.
“Rashford was offside, he distracted our keeper and distracted our central defenders. The rule is the rule but I know how we play.
“The second half was really good. We missed a little bit up front, we were a little bit disconnected, but we made a fantastic game.
“I don’t care about the Premier League or the Carabao Cup, we cannot win. We have won a lot so it is not a problem. Problem is we have performed like we have done. Today we performed. We focus on Spurs in a few days”
Credit: AP Bruno Fernandes speaks
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes insists Marcus Rashford wasn’t involved in his controversial equaliser.
Fernandes told BT Sport: “It’s always important to win the game. It doesn’t matter the opponent. All that matters is winning. Great effort from the team.
“I was facing the goal, Marcus saw I was in a better position. I didn’t know if any of us were offside.
“He [Rashford] doesn’t make any influence as there was no-one near him. The only closest [Manchester] City defender was the one closest to me”
Credit: Getty Rule book guildeline
Here is what the rules dictate about players getting implicated from an offside position:
“A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched by a team-mate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by:
- Interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a team-mate or
interfering with an opponent by: - Preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball or
clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent or
making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball
Credit: PA - Interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a team-mate or
City fans fuming
Manchester City fans were left enraged after Manchester United were awarded their very controversial equaliser.
With United on the ball, Casemiro delivered a pass into the path of Marcus Rashford, who knew he was offside and although he didn’t touch the ball on his run towards the goal Bruno Fernandes ran onto it and found the back of the net.
City stars argued that goalkeeper Ederson had been pulled out from his goal line due to the England international’s positioning.
Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: “Rashford is clearly active in the attack and is offside so no idea how that’s a goal.”
A second fan said: “Understand he doesn’t touch the ball but he literally positions himself to take the ball into his stride then just leaves it. Mental VAR decision.”
A third slammed: “Whoever gave that should be sacked. 100% offside. Linesman always flag when an offside player then goes after the ball, even if a defender has it. Always. Shocking.”
A fourth added: “Baffling that’s not offside.”
A fifth user said: “If Rashford isn’t there, [Manuel] Akanji makes a challenge. Such a simple decision.”
Another added: “How can you take five steps with (the) ball at your feet and NOT be interfering with play?!”
Credit: PA Cech slams VAR
Chelsea legend Petr Cech put VAR on full blast after Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Manchester City.
United equalised with Bruno Fernandes’ controversial goal as City complained that Marcus Rashford, who was offside, got in the way.
The linesman’s flag went up but VAR overruled that decision and Fernandes’ goal stood.
However, Cech doesn’t seem to agree and claims officials “don’t understand the game”
Updated Premier League table
Manchester United have overtaken Newcastle in third place in the Premier League table after their victory over Manchester City.
United are also just one point behind City, who are now trailing five points from table-toppers Arsenal.
The Gunners also have a game in hand ahead of tomorrow’s North London derby against Tottenham.
More below:
Man Utd vs Man City stats
Manchester City controlled 70 per cent of possession against Manchester United.
City registered five shots but only one of them was on target, which shows how well United’s defence neutralised the Premier League’s leading goalscorer Erling Haaland.
The Red Devils, on the other hand, produced eight shots, half of which were on target.
More below:
FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City
Manchester United came from behind and picked up a triumphant 2-1 win over Manchester City at Old Trafford.
The two teams went through a dull first half but the second half was everything but a bore.
City opened the scoring in the hour-mark when Kevin De Bruyne’s crisp cross from the right found the incoming Jack Grealish who beat David de Gea with a thunderous header.
But United wouldn’t be denied and equalised on 78 minutes after a big VAR call.
Casemiro delivered a beautiful ball towards Marcus Rashford who was offside.
Rahsford knew that and left the ball for the incoming Bruno Fernandes who scored with a powerful long-range shot.
The linesman’s flag went up but VAR overruled that decision despite City’s complaints that the England international got in the way of their defenders trying to mark Fernandes.
The Red Devils completed their comeback only four minutes later.
A cross from Alejandro Garnacho down the left found Rashford who was forgotten by Nathan Ake and beat Ederson from close range
Credit: Reuters FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City
Peep!
That full-time in Manchester!!!
90+5 Man Utd 2-1 Man City
City pushing for a late equaliser but United’s defence is so compact.
Rashford cheering his team-mates on from the touchline
90+3 Man Utd 2-1 Man City
United boss Ten Hag tries to kill the tempo with a triple change.
Maguire, Martinez and McTominay replace Rashford, Casemiro and Malacia
90 Man Utd 2-1 Man City
Five more minutes of stoppage time to go.
This is going to be nerve-wracking!!!
88 Man Utd 2-1 Man City
United turned the entire match around in just four minutes.
It all started with a VAR call that led to Fernandes’ goal and ended with Rashford’s finish
Credit: AFP Credit: Getty 88 Man Utd 2-1 Man City
Yellow card
Another booking for United, this time for Fred who also fouled Grealish
85 Man Utd 2-1 Man City
What a game! Just like we thought we would have an absolute bore after a dull first half.
City are pushing for a late equaliser and complained for a penalty after Haaland went down inside the box while under pressure from Casemiro who just got the ball
82 Man Utd 2-1 Man City
What a comeback! How impressive are United under Ten Hag?
Garnacho delivers a wonderful cross from the left and finds Rashford who is forgotten by Ake.
The England international beats Ederson from close range
82 Man Utd 2-1 Man City
Goal!
United turn it around with Rashford!!!
79 Man Utd 1-1 Man City
VAR makes a huge call that ultimately leads to United’s equaliser.
Casemiro delivers a wonderful ball towards Rashdford who is in an offside position.
The forward knows it and doesn’t touch the ball as he scouts Fernandes’ run.
The playmaker gets to the ball and beats Ederson with a wonderful shot.
City complain that Rashford participated by getting in the way and blocking their defenders from getting to Fernandes
79 Man Utd 1-1 Man City
Goal!
Fernandes’ goal stands!!!
79 Man Utd 0-1 Man City
No Goal
United star Fernandes scores but the linesman’s flag goes up for offside
78 Man Utd 0-1 Man City
A very good game by Walker and Akanji so far.
The two defenders are working very well on the right and find it easy to team up and shut down United’s attacks down that wing – Garnacho struggling so far
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
