Manchester United vs Man City LIVE score: Result and reaction as Fernandes and Rashford complete turnaround
Manchester United 2-1 Man City: Fernandes and Rashford’s late goals overcome Jack Grealish’s effort
In-form Marcus Rashford scored a late winner as Manchester United came from behind to beat rivals Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday, a victory that moves them to within a point of the champions in the Premier League standings.
The hosts had the best chances of a tense first half at Old Trafford, with in-form England forward Rashford seeing a tame effort blocked on the line by Manuel Akanji, while City struggled to get going.
City were much improved after the break, and the pressure told as Jack Grealish stepped off the bench to head his side into the lead in the 61st minute, on the end of a superb cross from the ever-reliable assist-maker Kevin De Bruyne.
However, with United looking second best, they produced a remarkable turnaround, out of nowhere, to turn the match on its head.
There was an element of controversy about United’s equaliser in the 78th minute, with Rashford initially flagged offside as Bruno Fernandes swept the ball home, with the goal given following a VAR review.
Rashford was then the hero once again for United, scoring for the seventh successive match in all competitions to snatch a thrilling late win for the hosts, who made it nine victories in a row in all competitions to close the gap to City in second.
Follow all the reaction from Old Trafford with our live blog below:
Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City
19 mins: That’s better from City as Mahrez and De Bruyne link up on the right, with Malacia conceding the corner. But United clear and then Fernandes blocks De Bruyne’s cross.
Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City
17 mins: Brilliant from Fred, again! This time he tracks De Bruyne over to the left, nibbling at the playmaker and winning it back for United with a sliding challenge. Ten Hag’s tactical tweak is working so far and Guardiola looks concerned.
Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City
15 mins: Fred is doing a great job on De Bruyne so far, and the Brazilian is following him everywhere. He charges down the Belgian on the right this time, winning a goal kick and receiving applause from the Stretford End.
Ederson then clears straight into touch - frustrating start for City so far despite their possession. They are not doing much with it.
Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City
14 mins: United break! Martial is released with a diagonal over the top. He waits for support and the ball into the box almost breaks to Fernandes, with Cancelo needing to slide in to make the clearance.
Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City
12 mins: The space for City is out wide, with United looking to flood the midfield through Eriksen, Fernandes, Casemiro and Fred - who is sticking tight on De Bruyne. Haaland continues to drop incredibly deep when City are on the ball. Shaw is looking to stay with him.
Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City
10 mins: WIDE! First chance of the game goes to United. Bernardo gives it away in midfield and Eriksen spots Fernandes out on the right. The midfielder takes a touch into the box and smashes a low shot across goal, but the angle just takes the shot wide of the far post.
Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City
9 mins: First moments of promise for United as Martial holds the ball up and finds the runners coming off him. There was space on the outside for Malacia but his cross is blocked, and it comes back for an offside anyway.
Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City
7 mins: Martial was looking to beat Ake to the ball on the United clearance but the Dutch defender covered well. Cancelo is looking to make the switch from left to right, hitting Mahrez, but his passes have been wayward on both occasions.
Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City
6 mins: Space opens up for Kevin De Bruyne in his favoured inside right channel. It’s fed in to Bernardo Silva, but then the move slows down and Cancelo can only dig out a cross to the back post, which United can clear.
Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City
5 mins: United can’t get on the ball at the moment. City are finding their routes out to release Cancelo and Walker, who gives it away cheaply as City come forward.
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