United issued a statement of its title intent with victory
in the 189th Manchester derby to move within a point of the reigning champions.
Substitute Jack Grealish had put City ahead in the second
half, but goals from Bruno Fernandes and Rashford secured the win for Eric ten
Hag’s team at Old Trafford.
It was Rashford’s 16th goal of the season and his eighth in
his last seven games.
The win sends United up to third place. It’s the team’s
ninth straight victory in all competitions.
United ended a three-game losing streak to City that
included a 6-3 rout in October. United, however, has been much-improved since
then, moving into the top four.
This was the sternest test of its resurgence under Ten Hag,
even with City coming off a surprise 2-0 loss to Southampton in the English
League Cup on Wednesday.
United had the better chances in the first half, with
Rashford having one shot cleared off the line by Manuel Akanji after rounding
Ederson and then seeing another effort smothered by the City goalkeeper.
City took control after the break and Grealish opened the
scoring in the 60th minute, just three minutes after coming on, when he headed
in Kevin de Bruyne’s cross.
United evened the score against the run of play when
Fernandes struck in the 78th minute.
The goal was initially ruled out by the referee’s assistant
because Rashford was in an offside position. However, that decision was
overruled by VAR after it was confirmed the United forward did not touch the
ball before Fernandes struck.
Rashford then hit the winner from close range just four
minutes later when he converted substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s cross.