On Sunday, January 14, Old Trafford played host to one of the most exciting Manchester derbies in recent memory as United defeated their rowdy neighbours City 3-2 in a Premier League classic.
Anticipation was heightened by the midday start, as the premier English football match began at 12:30 pm in the winter sun. When the two teams emerged to the famous Z Cars theme, an atmosphere of characteristic ferocity flared throughout the historic stadium.
After just seven minutes, Erling Haaland continued his incredible scoring streak, and the visitors took the lead. The Norwegian giant brushed past Rafael Varane and Harry Maguire with incredible strength before launching a powerful shot into the far corner.
Marcus Rashford, who was playing brilliantly, helped United react by tying the score in the twenty-first. Luke Shaw slipped in the English forward on a quick counterattack, and he opened up his body and finished with a spectacular left-footed effort that found the far bottom corner.
An engaging, end-to-end first-half performance was provided by two of the league’s top-scoring clubs. When Riyad Mahrez attempted a diving shot from 20 yards out and struck the crossbar, City came agonizingly close to seizing the lead again.
Ten minutes before the half, United took advantage of some careless City defence to take the lead for the first time. Casemiro headed a deep free-kick back across goal, allowing Raphael Varane to outjump Ederson and score from close range.
At halftime, Pep Guardiola made two substitutions in an attempt to find an equalizer: Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden. Shortly before the hour, a tussle in the United box saw the ball fall nicely for Alvarez, who lashed high into the net as a result of the alterations paying off.
With each side launching wave after wave of attack in an attempt to find a winner, the match was suddenly living up to the enormous hype that preceded it. Mahrez attempted a piledriver, but David De Gea made an amazing fingertip stop to divert it into the post.
As the last ten minutes drew near, the moment of truth arrived under dubious circumstances. An intense scuffle broke out in the City 6-yard box as a result of a corner taken by United; Manuel Akanji seemed to be struck in the arm as he attempted to confront Varane.
Referee Michael Oliver was requested to examine the situation on the pitchside monitor after first dismissing the loud United pleas with a wave. Oliver pointed to the spot to give a penalty for handball, much to the dismay of the City players and supporters.
Bruno Fernandes ascended to score a penalty kick, squeezing it just inside the right-hand post, sending Ederson reeling and setting up wild celebrations in the United end. In true Portuguese fashion, the playmaker put his fingers to his lips to “shush” the city supporters.
With a closing-minute assault from City on the United goal, there was still time for one more twist. They came agonizingly close to a dramatic equalizer, but after De Gea had parried Foden’s first shot, Haaland somehow blasted over from six yards.
Upon hearing the full-time whistle, the disparity in feelings was evident. The players from United erupted in celebration in front of their ecstatic fans, while the players from City collapsed to the ground, furious at having allowed a Derby triumph to elude them.
This enormously important win for Erik ten Hag’s team continues their incredible comeback. United has gone 15 games without a loss in the Premier League and is clearly in the running for the championship since the awful 6-3 defeat at the Etihad back in October.
For the Red Devils, Rashford and Fernandes were the two most impressive players. Rashford’s incredible first goal set the tone, and Fernandes was fired up to convert that late penalty in such high-stress situations.
Regarding City, they will feel cheated by the penalty call that turned out to be so important. It did not fulfil the requirements for a handball in the box, according to Guardiola and his teammates.
Still, they will rue defensive errors that ultimately cost them, like the marking of the first two goals by United. They continued to be a threat as usual, with Mahrez, De Bruyne, and Foden’s link-up play creating a multitude of issues.
From the opening whistle to the very end, this thrilling derby had it all amazing skill, a tremendous atmosphere, intense dispute, and nonstop drama. In the most recent round of this intense rivalry, United deserves tremendous respect for managing to prevail in an iconic match, while City will undoubtedly feel hurt.
