Manchester United surged to beat Manchester City in a controversial fashion in a dramatic Manchester derby.
It’s clear that Manchester United are entering the Premier League title race, very unexpectedly.
Jack Grealish put City ahead after jumping off the bench, but late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford gave United the win. Fernandes’ equalizer was highly controversial as Rashford was in an offside position, and although he did not touch the ball, it clearly appeared to affect play.
The Red Devils have now won nine in a row in all competitions and five in the Premier League. They have 38 points, one point behind second-placed Manchester City and six points behind leaders Arsenal.
Erik ten Hag’s side are in the title race, but the reigning champions, led by Pep Guardiola, were eliminated from the League Cup after two defeats and lost in the Manchester derby. They don’t look like themselves.
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Offside drama soaring as Red Devils stick to game plan
Legally, Marcus Rashford may have been technically onside, but that’s not to say it didn’t affect the positioning of Manuel Akanji and City goalkeeper Ederson. The fact that Rashford basically ran towards goal with the ball at his feet certainly interfered with play and affected the positions of other players. Great against and completely fooled the reigning champion. Fred and Casemiro stopped De Bruyne, Bruno stabbed a long ball into Rashford and was a great extra man in midfield. The entire United team stuck to the plan, with Eric ten Hag making a sub off in the second half with Anthony and Garnacho adding tricks on the counter. United are defensively solid and in incredible form. Certainly they are in this title race now.
Bruno Fernandes’ goal was good as it was ruled that Marcus Rashford had not touched the ball and had no effect on the defenders. #MyPLMorning | | #MUNMCI pic.twitter.com/nt2whnApL3
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 14, 2023
Eric ten Hag welcomes Manchester United’s ‘huge’ spirit
Manchester United boss Eric ten Hag praised the team’s resurgent winning spirit in an interview with BT Sport.
“We played very well in the first half. We defended very well and created good chances. “City came and we weren’t aggressive.They scored.The spirit of the team is very big, the game is 90 minutes and we have the belief that we can fight back.I’m really happy with the performance of the team.” ing… Confidence is back and we are on the right track.you have to work from your possessions [against teams like City]They have an instant quality for scoring goals. I saw it today. I made one mistake and scored.”
Bruno Fernandes: ‘We were once an individual, now we’re a team’
United’s Portuguese playmaker also spoke to BT Sport, praising the community unit and saying they were now the “right team” working together. It feels a little different than a big win or display. United still have a lot to go and they’re all on the right track thanks to Eric ten Hug.
star of the show
Marcus Rashford: I fell behind many times and scored again. With such a threat and the shape of his life.
Casemiro: dominant in central midfield when he and Fred shut down Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva. He is the heart of this team. In the first half, Haaland made a brilliant block.
Rodri: It was very helpful for City to take control of the game early in the second half. Somehow he is still underrated.
what next?
Manchester United will face Crystal Palace on Wednesday 18th January and Manchester City will play Tottenham on Thursday 19th January.
Live analysis of Manchester United vs Manchester City! – Joe Prince-Wright
Kickoff: 7:30am ET, Saturday
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBCSports.com
full time – Manchester United fight back to beat Manchester City 2-1 in a big win. But everyone will be talking about that tying goal. This is the FA’s official ruling.
Official offside decision from FA. There are some rulings that seem to suggest that what Marcus Rashford did for Bruno Fernandes’ goal was offside. #MUFC 2-1 #MCFC pic.twitter.com/rS2Tygr2RZ
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) January 14, 2023
In the closing stages United held up with excellent defense from Lisandro Martinez and others.
goal! Marcus Rashford hit home with a superb shot from Garnacho on the left.
🔥 Marcus Rashford keeps scoring! 8 goals in his last 7 games. If this result holds up, Manchester United will be just one point behind Man City. #MUFC 2-1 #MCFC pic.twitter.com/hQyFXXaqh1
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) January 14, 2023
goal! And a big controversy. Marcus Rashford was flagged for offside and Bruno Fernandes’ goal did not stand, but VAR was used and it now does. It’s controversial. Rashford was clearly offside and affected play, but he didn’t touch the ball.
Bruno Fernandes equalizes!
📺: @USA_ network #MyPLMorning | | #MUNMCI pic.twitter.com/a5BfgOjRwM
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 14, 2023
United have not reacted well to falling behind. City are now playing keep ball by clicking the cogs. they are in their element.
Jack Grealish wins at Old Trafford! 🤩
📺: @USA_ network #MyPLMorning | | #MUNMCI pic.twitter.com/1OWzZGjwzM
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 14, 2023
Sublimate from Kevin De Bruyne, watch the Grealish hunger, rise to the top and go home.Can United handle it?
GOALLLL! Jack Grealish comes off the bench and immediately scores a goal. Riyad Mahrez found Kevin De Bruyne and sank a delightful cross before Grealish headed in the back post.
What a big moment for Grealish! City leaders at Old Trafford. #MUFC 0-1 #MCFC
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) January 14, 2023
Phil Foden off, Jack Grealish on. A frustrating outing for the former. He felt offside most of the time trying to get caught in attack.
chanceBalan was found at the back post, but just pushed his efforts outward. Great opportunity for United. On the other side, Phil his Foden is down in the box under pressure from Casemiro, but this is not his kick as a penalty.
Anthony was out at half-time, but Anthony Martial came on instead of Rashford. The latter shook off that hip problem. Anthony is playing in the middle of the front line.
half time: Man United 0-0 Man City – United performed well on the counter and City didn’t have many clearing chances. A tense but interesting first half of the Manchester derby.
Rashford is back for now, but Anthony is warming up and has quiet words with Eric Ten Hug.
Ohno. Marcus Rashford collapsed holding his left hip. He hits the floor in frustration. In his condition, this is the last thing Manchester United wanted. #MUFC
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) January 14, 2023
chanceRashford goes inside again, but Edelson comes out and seals the shot. United have a lot behind Walker.
chanceThe ball above sees Edelson fly out, but Rashford beats him up and goes around him. His cross was blocked and the cross was rolled in, but Ederson saved the header. United’s sharp direct attack.
City have a lot of the ball but they don’t use it much. De Bruyne and Haaland seem to have swapped positions a bit.
chanceAfter some patient build-up play City found Haaland in the box but Casemiro charged in with a great block. Better from the city. I like more from them.
The cancellation was cleared when United played a long ball over the top and a cross into the box. Their plan is working.
width! Bruno Fernandes shot outside the far post after a smooth pass. United settle into the game.
We don’t have big chances yet but City dominate possession and United are happy to sit back and play directly. Interesting tactical battles. Both Pep and ETH are wide-eyed and look worried on the sidelines. This is going to be a tight, tense game.
kick off! We are on our way and City are allowed to have a lot of the ball early on.
United will start in midfield with Luke Shaw at centre-back, Tyrell Marasia at left-back and Fred alongside Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
“It’s hard to say the second-place team is in a rush..but it’s clear there’s something Pep doesn’t like.”
What’s Happening at Manchester City?
📺: @USA_ network #MyPLMorning | | #MCFC pic.twitter.com/FSccw1FIMh— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 14, 2023
As for City, with Haaland and De Bruyne tasked with unlocking this suddenly very stingy United defense, they will make eight changes to the side that lost to Southampton mid-week. Center backs Akanji and Ake have a big task to stop Rashford and Martial.
hello welcomeIt’s Manchester derby day and Old Trafford is rocking. Team news is interesting, so let’s analyze everything.
main story
United are on the rise and Marcus Rashford is leading the way. He has scored his seven goals in his last six games with the Red Devils and looks unstoppable at this point. Elsewhere, Casemiro dominated the midfield and Lisandro Martinez returned to defense after winning the World Cup. Untied are confident all over the pitch and look hard to beat.
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City will be a little worried heading into this clash after they just didn’t look like themselves before and after the World Cup hiatus. but it wasn’t Earlier in the season they won 6-3Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne ripped United apart in October, but City are hoping the two can connect and control the tempo of this game, especially in midfield.
Players to watch out for
Marcus Rashford is a natural choice for United, as are Casemiro and Luke Shaw. Anthony is also back in top form after a bit of a dip in his form. Aaron Wan His Bissaka is back at right-back and has done well and Bruno His Fernandes is also doing well.
Manchester City’s Rodri is an important player, while Riyad Mahrez has also excelled in recent games and is expected to start.
Manchester United team news, injuries and lineup options
Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek will remain sidelined after confirming they will miss the season with knee injuries. This match is too early for Diogo Dalot. Luke Shaw, meanwhile, started at centre-back, while Christian Eriksen, Fred and Casemiro started at midfield, giving them a slightly more defensive look. Wout Weghorst has arrived for rent, but is not usable in this game.
🔴At the Red Corner🔴#MUFC || #MUNMCI
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 14, 2023
Manchester City team news, injuries and lineup options
Center backs Ruben Diaz and John Stones are out. Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Erling Haaland, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Ederson, Rodri and Bernardo Silva all started after being on the bench in the defeat to Southampton.
🔴 𝘛𝘌𝘈𝘔 𝘕𝘌𝘞𝘚 🔵
XI | Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Ake, Cancelo, Rodrigo, De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Mahrez, Foden, Haaland
Subs | Ortega Moreno, Phillips, Gundogan, Grealish, Laporte, Alvarez, Gomez, Palmer, Luis#Man City | | @Hayes Worldwide pic.twitter.com/8IXrEcmXJf
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 14, 2023
