Manchester United has staged a stunning late turnaround to beat Manchester City 2-1 in a dramatic derby at Old Trafford.
Manchester City took the lead through a Jack Grealish goal in the 60th minute, but Bruno Fernandes levelled the scores in the 78th minute before Marcus Rashford netted the winner in the 82nd minute of the contest.
The victory is Man United’s ninth in a row in all competitions, and it has moved them into third position in the table, just one point behind second-placed Man City.
Erik ten Hag’s side are also now only six points behind leaders Arsenal, with the 20-time English champions triumphing in their last five league fixtures, while Man City sit five points off the summit, with the Gunners in action against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday.
United left Etihad Stadium in early October chastened and bruised following a 6-3 thrashing, a scoreline that actually flattered them – but Ten Hag insisted lessons had been learned.
And so they have. This win means United have lost only one of their past 19 games in all competitions and are now on City’s heels in third place in the table, barely credible after that derby beating and a dreadful start to the season that saw them lose at home to Brighton before being overwhelmed at Brentford.
The debate over Fernandes’ equaliser will go on, but what is inescapable is the significant improvement under the disciplinarian and tactically astute Ten Hag to the point where United are looking solid in the top four and may even be casting a glance at leaders Arsenal, who are six points ahead of them.
The sight of the diminutive Luke Shaw winning a series of headers in among Erling Haaland and others in stoppage time and Raphael Varane fist-pumping and whipping up the fans at the final whistle was a sign of the renewed belief and confidence surging through United.
The reborn Rashford was not deterred by missing two first-half chances to pounce and turn Garnacho’s cross past exposed City keeper Ederson for the winner.
United’s recovery has been slow but assured under Ten Hag and the scenes at the final whistle demonstrated that a giant that had lost its way is slowing finding itself again.
City disappointed – and furious
City’s players were left with a mixture of emotions at the final whistle following this tumultuous defeat.
The Premier League champions looked in control following Grealish’s goal after a shaky first half, only for United to turn the tables on them amid chaotic scenes late on.
City were bitterly disappointed at the loss and infuriated by the decision to allow Fernandes’ equaliser.
Rashford was clearly offside as he chased Casemiro’s pass, but did not touch the ball, leaving it for Fernandes to whip his finish beyond Ederson.
City’s argument, with justification, was that Rashford was having a significant impact on the incident even without touching the ball because his presence clearly put him in a position where he had an effect on Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji’s ability to make a challenge.
Referee Stuart Attwell consulted his assistant and the goal was given, much to City’s anger as their players confronted the official at the final whistle.
City, trying to recover from Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final loss at Southampton, were not their usual fluent selves but their unhappiness at the result will be even more acute because of their discontent at the decision that went against them.