Match report: Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City (Premier League)

Manchester United overcome their neighbours in a stunning turnaround to move into third place and continue a sensational run of performances.

Manchester United came into the match knowing that anything but a loss would move them into third place above Newcastle, who play a tough Fulham side on Sunday.

The Reds came into the match with a slightly surprising XI with some interesting choices in terms of personnel and shape.

Luke Shaw started at centre-back despite the Premier League return of Lisandro Martinez, who was on the bench for the derby. Fred started in the centre of midfield alongside Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes.

New Dutch striker, Wout Weghorst, could be seen in the Old Trafford stands just before kick-off, having been announced by the club on Friday evening

𝑻𝒐 𝑾.𝑾.

𝑴𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓, 𝒎𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆. pic.twitter.com/JMlTX3rtgX

— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) January 13, 2023

Manchester United started brightly, with the Reds looking dangerous in transition early after kick-off.

Bruno Fernandes went close with the first shot of the game, striking the ball across goal and just past the post.

United continued to attack dangerously and looked the more likely to go in front, despite City dominating the ball.

Raphael Varanae and Luke Shaw marshalled the United defence extremely well, keeping Erling Haaland quiet throughout and limiting any chances for City to get a shot off.

Fred was one of the Reds’ standout players in the first half, dominating Kevin de Bruyne in the pair’s constant duel. Casemiro similarly played Erling Haaland effectively out of the game, with the Brazilian making one exceptional block from the Norweigan’s only shot in the half.

Marcus Rashford was electric once again, getting in behind the city defensive line and being direct in his running.

The best chance of the half fell to the 25-year-old after he rounded Ederson who came flying out of the box in an attempt to get the ball. However, Rashford was forced too far wide having rounded the keeper and couldn’t generate the power on the shot to beat the two city defenders that positioned themselves between Rashford and the goal.

Rashford again went close having got on the end of a through ball in behind but failed to get a proper shot off before the ball was smothered by Ederson.

Erik ten Hag used half-time to replace Anthony Martial, who had an extremely quiet half, with Brazilian winger Antony. Marital came into the game amongst rumours that he was struggling with a minor injury.

Despite ending the first half on top, United were forced to soak up a large spell of pressure from Manchester City. Raphael Varane was called upon multiple times for his aerial presence, as city rotated between crossing the ball into the box and going down at the slightest touch in attempts to win a penalty.

The breakthrough eventually came in the 60th minute as City sub, Jack Grealish, headed in a Kevin de Bruyne cross at the back post.

City continued to dominate after the goal, with United failing to keep the ball for an extended period of time or create any threatening opportunities.

Alejandro Garnacho was brought on to try and add some spark to United’s attack, replacing Christian Eriksen who had a subdued performance throughout.

A renewing of intensity was evident and Manchester United came back into the game through a moment of huge contention.

Bruno Fernandes stroked home a beautiful finish from a Casemiro through ball, despite Marcus Rashford following the ball from an offside position without touching the ball itself.

Having been initially flagged for offside, Stuart Atwell gave the goal after a brief conversation with his linesman.

Then, there it was. The moment United fans had been waiting for: THE LEAD.

Marcus Rashford slid the ball into the goal from close range to extend his scoring run to eight consecutive matches in all competitions and nine home matches.

The assist came from Garnacho, who brought the intensity and directness that Erik ten Hag would have been desperate for. Having beaten Nathan Ake, the teenager put in a clinical cross for Rashford to steer home.

Despite late pressure and calls for a late penalty from Erling Haaland, United’s defence stood resolute and ensured that their neighbours would leave Old Trafford with nothing other than bruised egos and failed penalty appeals.