Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City
A Manchester derby with bite was how my SBOTOP colleague described this Premier League encounter.
It was also the acid test to see if the red half of Manchester had genuinely gained ground or if there was still a gulf between them and the reigning champions in the blue half of the city, one that was so ruthlessly exposed in their clash just over three months ago.
On that occasion, the scoreline flattered the Red Devils in what was an emphatically one-sided contest.
The Premier League betting odds suggested this would be a much closer encounter and a derby full of Premier League highlights but could Manchester United really continue their winning run against the best team in the country?
Highlights of the game
United made nine changes from their midweek League Cup victory over Charlton with only Fred and Tyrell Malacia keeping their places and Anthony Martial able to start, despite being a pre-match doubt with a leg injury.
Manchester City made eight changes from their League Cup outing at Southampton with Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo and Phil Foden retaining a starting berth.
It was probably predictable that City would dominate possession and that was certainly the case in the first half, yet it was the home side who created the better chances.
Ten minutes in and captain Bruno Fernandes was slipped through by Christian Eriksen and, from a tight angle, the Portuguese playmaker dragged his shot wide of the far post.
Then, 11 minutes before the break, an even better chance as Fernandes turned provider and found Marcus Rashford in acres of space.
What was surprising was the sight of goalkeeper Ederson rushing out of his penalty box and Rashford took advantage, rounding the Brazilian and, as he had to take a touch from a narrow angle before firing towards goal, the alert Kyle Walker was able to get back in time to block on the goalline.
Ederson redeemed himself moments later to deny the same player after he powered past Rodri.
Rashford, who had scored in all six United fixtures since the World Cup, was clearly the main threat but. after taking a heavy knock before the break, there was concern he may not be able to continue.
It was actually Martial who failed to reappear for the second half with Antony taking his place.
The deadlock was broken just before the hour and it was an instant impact by one of the champions.
Jack Grealish had only been on the pitch for a few moments when he jumped to meet Kevin de Bruyne’s cut-back and the unmarked substitute impressive leap and head did the rest.
It was a superb delivery from the Belgian and a moment which often separates the champions from the rest.
De Bruyne had failed to score or assist in any of his last five Premier League appearances – his longest such run since a 10-match streak between December 2018 and March 2019 – and this ball put an end to that rare statistic.
At that point, it all seemed to be going to plan for Pep Guardiola in his 500th top-flight match as a manager.
Buoyed by the goal, City were certainly on top and, with Martial off and new loan signing Wout Weghorst watching on, not registered in time for this one, the lack of attacking options for the home side was clear, although young Alejandro Garnacho was named on the bench.
The Argentine was brought on with 18 minutes remaining and United’s hope was revived.
Even still, it was hard not to feel some sympathy for City when, with 12 minutes left, Fernandes produced a fine finish from a Casemiro ball and the initial decision to overrule the goal (Rashford was clearly offside) was overturned with the forward deemed not to be interfering with play.
It clearly had an impact as, with the controversial ruling still being digested and City reeling, United took advantage.
Fernandes was involved again with a beautiful reverse pass to Garnacho who slid the ball for Rashford to poke home from close range.
The celebrations were loud and long and even longer once the full-time whistle sounded as United stood firm.
For City, on a day when they were without their main centre halves and struggled to create too much, they could feel aggrieved by one decision.
For United, genuine belief.
Key statistics
United have earned an unsurpassed 38 points in the Premier League since beating Liverpool on August 22.
They have now won five successive league games for the first time since April 2021.
Rashford is the first United player to score in seven consecutive appearances (all competitions) since Cristiano Ronaldo in April 2008.
Garnacho (18 years, 197 days) is the youngest player to assist a goal in a Manchester derby in the Premier League.
De Bruyne has now reached double figures for assists in five different Premier League seasons, with only Cesc Fabregas (six) doing so in more different campaigns.
City’s 6-3 Premier League win against United in October set a record for the most goals in this fixture.
What’s next?
This was the start of a busy and important week of league action for both clubs.
United are at Crystal Palace on Wednesday (Jan 18) and then travel to leaders Arsenal next Sunday.
City, meanwhile, host Spurs on Thursday and then Wolves next Sunday (January 22).
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