“It is a joke” – Manchester City players react to Bruno Fernandes’ controversial equaliser

Manchester United claimed victory over bitter rivals Manchester City in a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon in what is their most significant result of the season so far.

However, one incredibly controversial talking point is the nature of Bruno Fernandes’ 78th minute equaliser to level the scores, as many claim that the goal should not have stood due to Marcus Rashford‘s position, despite the fact he did not touch the ball.

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Rashford followed the path of the ball, almost shielding it from the Manchester City players, however did not actually touch the ball before Bruno Fernandes rifled it into the net past an advancing Ederson to equalise for Manchester United.

“(Marcus) Rashford (is) offside, Bruno Fernandes no. Rashford is intervening or not, (he) distracted our keeper and distracted our central defenders,” said Guardiola after the match.

One man who was significantly affected by Rashford’s run was central Manuel Akanji, who was effectively blocked from challenging Fernandes as a result of said run.

“The first goal is a joke it can be allowed,” Akanji told BBC Sport. “He (Rashford) runs to the last second and stops when the ball is right in front of him and right in front of Eddy to score the goal. He runs for 30 metres, he’s chasing the ball. It’s clearly offside.”

“In the situation, I played him (Marcus Rashford) offside, but he plays until the last second,” Akanji concluded. “I understand he doesn’t touch the ball, but for me it is clearly offside.”

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Nathan Ake, Akanji’s central-defensive partner for the fixture, also had his own say on the equaliser.

“From my point of view, he (Rashford) is interfering with play – for our goalkeeper, defenders – because he’s still there just before Fernandes shoots,” he said. “The referee doesn’t give it and we lost our way a little bit.”