Five things learned: Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City (Premier League)

“Eras come to an end,” were the words of Erik ten Hag at his very first press conference at Manchester United manager.

Today, his Manchester United side won the very biggest game they have played so far as they came from behind to beat bitter rivals Manchester City 2-1 at home. Here are five things UtdDistrict learnt from United’s statement win:

1) Winning mentality

United would definitely have been the happier team going into half time, having without a doubt the better share of chances.

On the hour mark, they encountered a setback by going 1-0 down to City, who were unbeaten in 42 games when winning. Previous United teams may have folded on the occasion.

Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United are unlike any Manchester United team in a long time though. Two goals in the 78th and 82nd minute saw United overturn the deficit and go within one point of Pep’s City in the league.

2) Raphaël Varane is a defensive general

This shouldn’t be something we’ve learnt, it should be something everyone already knows. But for two and a half years people have pretended Varane does not deserve the career he has had because of a poor game against Manchester City for Real Madrid post-lockdown.

Today was his redemption. The Frenchman was equal to absolutely everything that came his way and made countless crucial interventions for United. He has led the defence better than anyone in years for United this season.

3) Fred steps up to the occasion once again

Another big game, another standout performance from the Brazilian. He absolutely comes alive in these games, with his intensity shining every time and it is no surprise that today was more of the same.

Fred is such a useful squad player and always steps up to the occasion when United need him, the decision to extend his contract was a genius one and United fans will hope for more of these games to come for him.

4) Big games are for big players

Marcus Rashford scored a winner in the Manchester Derby not for the first time in his career today, and after a few missed chances in the first half as well as an injury scare, it just goes to show the extent of his turnaround in the last six months.

Alejandro Garnacho deserves a mention too, coming off the bench at 18 for your first Manchester Derby in front of a packed Old Trafford with your team behind is not an easy situation to walk into. But he provided a real spark, and rolled Nathan Aké brilliantly to set up Rashford’s winner.

5) United coming on out of possession

Erik ten Hag came into a squad which had a lot of work to do out of possession, and the Dutchman has done a lot of that work brilliantly.

The second half dropped off as players tired and Anthony Martial – crucial to the press – came off. But the first half, United blocked Manchester City’s progression in a way few teams ever have and it was all down to the work out of possession. This team is in a really good place right now, and will only get better.