Man United win Manchester Derby 1-0 at Etihad Stadium
Manchester United back in EPL title race after defeating Manchester City 1-0 in Manchester Derby with goal by Rashford
Manchester United youngster, Marcus Rashford exceled in his Manchester Derby debut as Man United got a massive victory against Manchester City in their late bid for the title in the last third of the 2015-16 season at Etihad Stadium filled with 54,557 enthusiastic supporters. A confident, calm, and composed eighteen-year-old Rashford scored the match winner, the only goal of the derby, as he collected Juan Mata’s ball, easily glided past City defender Martin Demichelis, and finished with a sublime goal past City’s titan goalie Joe Hart.
Louis van Gaal's side appeared to want to win the derby more than their noisy neighbors. Teenager Marcus Rashford’s youth, maturity, tremendous skill, high energy, poise, and courage continue to be the talk of the town. With several deadly strikes on goal by City that came close to their mark, Van Gaal's side held up to the end of the match to earn the narrowest of wins after dominating in the first half. Manchester City were outplayed in midfield, overrun by Juan Mata and Morgan Schneiderlin.
Dutchman Van Gaal previously named Rashford among his substitutes in Manchester United’s 2-1 win at Watford on November 21, and again against Leicester the following weekend. However, Rashford was not brought onto the pitch by Van Gaal in either occasion. Van Gaal, United manager, remarked that Rashford has great ability as a striker. Rashford who has scored 5 goals in 8 games, has won Van Gaal over since breaking into the side last month. Van Gaal claims the striker was unfortunate not to win his side a first-half penalty. 'He is a real striker and that's why I let him stay in that position,' said Van Gaal to Sky Sports after the match. 'He can make goals but he's also an attacking point and he also runs the channels.
'I like him very much but he is still 18 years old so we have to wait and see how consistent he is,” continued Van Gaal. A blatant foul committed against Rashford was denied to the chagrin of Van Gaal. 'You know that. You have seen it so you can judge it. I have seen it from the bench and I think it was a penalty but you need video referees, I think,' responded Van Gaal when asked his opinion of the penalty denial.
Without doubt the Red Devils thoroughly deserved their brilliant 1-0 Manchester Derby win. The hard-fought victory came as a ray of hope in Manchester United’s title race, an exhilarating afternoon, serving as a stimulus in an often frustrating season for Van Gaal’s side and causing joy in the locker room after the game. Highlights of the derby were the brilliant performance of Rashford who became the youngest goal-scorer ever in a Premier League Manchester Derby, and goalie David de Gea’s clean sheet. The downside of the match were the injuries of Raheem Sterling and Joe Hart who were both forced off.
With eight Premier League matches remaining, United still have to face title-chasing duo Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City as they bid to secure a spot in Europe's elite Champions League competition for the 2016-17 season along with City and West Ham.
Manchester City (4-2-3-1)
Squad: Hart (Caballero 50mins); Sagna, Demichelis (Bony 53), Mangala, Clichy; Toure, Fernandinho; Navas, Silva, Sterling (Fernando 26); Aguero
Subs not used: Zabaleta, Kolarov, Garcia, Iheanacho
Booked: Mangala
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini
Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
Squad: De Gea; Darmian (Fosu-Mensah 84), Smalling, Blind, Rojo (Valencia 62); Carrick, Schneiderlin; Lingard, Mata (Schweinsteiger 70), Martial; Rashford.
Subs not used: Romero, Fellaini, Januzaj, Memphis.
Booked: Smalling
Goal: Rashford 16
Manager: Louis van Gaal 7
Watch Manchester United continue their battle for England Premier League silverware.
Great legal, authentic, Manchester City football tickets are for sale securely online at LiveFootballTickets.com to watch Man City compete for both Premier League and Champions League trophies! United's Derby win moves them to within one point of fourth-place Man City as the race for Premier League glory and Champions League qualification heats up.
England Premier League Table
Leicester City 66 points
Tottenham Hotspur 61 points
Arsenal 55 points
Manchester City 51 points
West Ham 50 points
Manchester United 50 points
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