Manchester: Marcus Rashford scored the winner as Manchester United got here from in the back of to overcome Manchester Town 2-1 and pass 3rd within the Premier League in an exciting finale at Outdated Trafford on Saturday.
Each United targets got here within the ultimate 12 mins as Erik ten Hag’s facet moved to inside one level in their native opponents within the desk after causing a dangerous blow to Town’s hopes of conserving the identify.
Pep Guardiola’s males gave the look to be heading to victory when Jack Grealish got here off the bench to go the guests into the lead.
However Bruno Fernandes’ arguable equaliser grew to become the sport and 4 mins later Rashford netted for the 9th consecutive fit at Outdated Trafford.
Town may now fall 8 issues off the highest of the desk must Arsenal beat Tottenham within the north London derby on Sunday.
The victory for United was once candy revenge after being destroyed 6-3 when the perimeters met in October.
The scoreline even flattered United on the Etihad thank you to 2 past due targets from Anthony Martial.
On the other hand, Ten Hag’s males have now misplaced simply as soon as in 19 video games since in a surprising turnaround within the Dutch trainer’s first season in fee.
The advent of Casemiro has remodeled United’s midfield because the final Manchester derby and Ten Hag’s resolution to play Fred along his Brazilian global teammate reduce Town’s provide line to Erling Haaland.
United’s turnaround is mirrored in Rashford’s revival. The England global has now scored 16 occasions this season.
-Rashford threatens-
Rashford’s tempo in in the back of was once the largest danger posed via all sides within the first half of and he must have completed higher after rounding Ederson than permitting Kyle Walker to very easily transparent off the road.
Every other Rashford burst then took him past Rodri, however once more the end was once missing as Ederson moved quickly off his line to smother.
United’s new mortgage signing Wout Weghorst was once looking at on from the stands and Martial’s lacklustre efficiency earlier than being changed at half-time via Antony underlined Ten Hag’s want for extra ahead choices.
Against this, Town are blessed with an abundance of ability within the ultimate 3rd and Guardiola’s skill to make game-changing substitutions regarded to have swung the sport of their favour.
Grealish had handiest been at the box 3 mins earlier than netting the largest purpose of his Town occupation thus far as he nodded in Kevin De Bruyne’s pass at the hour mark.
However Town have struggled this season to compare the consistency that has received them 4 Premier League titles previously 5 years and had been undone via a vastly arguable equaliser.
Rashford was once obviously offside as he raced in opposition to Casemiro’s go, however crucially didn’t contact the ball and left it for Fernandes to brush house.
The assistant referee first of all flagged for offside and Town had been furious on the resolution to permit the purpose to face.
Town had been nonetheless rocking after they conceded once more as Alejandro Garnacho sprinted down the left and crossed for Rashford to prod house from shut vary.
There was once nonetheless time for Town to really feel additional aggrieved at referee Stuart Attwell as Haaland noticed a penalty attraction waved away.
However the champions now have an enormous task on their arms if they’re to deal with their dominance of English soccer within the Guardiola generation.