Three observations as Manchester United beat City 2-1 in the derby
Marcus Rashford continued his incredible form by inspiring Manchester United to a derby-day comeback win over Manchester City.
Manchester United took three points after claiming a 2-1 win over last season’s champions and now pundits want to drag us into the title race conversation.
City substitute Jack Grealish had opened the scoring in the second half but United refused to panic and kept plugging away. Bruno Fernandes equalised in controversial circumstances before Marcus Rashford made it a quick-fire comeback at Old Trafford.
Here are three observations from Old Trafford.
Shaw impresses again at centre-back
Most United fans were a little surprised to see Lisandro Martinez on the bench, but he stuck by Luke Shaw and we could all see why as the game unfolded. Erling Haaland hardly got a sniff at goal throughout the game and nobody can fault any of Ten Hag’s back four.
Shaw is excelling in a makeshift position but we can totally understand why he is ahead of several centre-backs when it comes to the manager’s pecking order. Martinez clearly wasn’t ready to start the derby and Ten Hag was right to start Shaw.
Martial didn’t look fully fit
It wasn’t the first time this season that United looked a little flat up front. The team created chances, but most of them came through Rashford down the left flank. Martial looked isolated in the centre and it was no wonder after he missed a lot of training in the past week.
Ten Hag made the decision to replace Martial at half-time but the problems up front still existed in the second half. Let’s make sure Wout Weghorst available next time out because he will be a constant presence inside the box.
City couldn’t stop Rashford
Rashford has scored eight goals in seven games and he was a constant threat against City. The United forward pulled up in the first half and it looked like he would be replaced at half-time, but thankfully he came out for the second half and led United to an important win. There’s now just one point separating the two teams in the Premier League table.
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