Manchester United

Manchester United scored a controversial equaliser and Marcus Rashford bagged the winner as they came from behind to beat rivals City in the derby.

22) in the Premier League, then Arsenal in the FA Cup on Jan. In top football you have to suffer and sacrifice to get the right result. There are plenty of points to play for and we have to play there. You have to do it to get the right result and performance. We were close and we have to improve when we concede the goal, be more stable, the gap between the first and second goal is too close. - Manchester United have two goals both coming after the 75th minute. But with just three league goals so far this season, it is clear the Martial isn't up to requirements at United and his woeful performance against City proved it. Not good enough for a team in the top four. Bruno came from the back -- but I can see it from the other side." The former Borussia Dortmund forward was quiet against United to the point of being anonymous. But a controversial equaliser by Fernandes on 78 minutes put United back in the game and sparked anger within the City ranks. United are the only team to beat Arsenal this season, winning 3-2 at Old Trafford earlier in the campaign.

United's derby performance shows there is an authority to Ten Hag's instructions - this has led to his team challenging for the title...

[Liverpool](https://theathletic.com/football/team/liverpool/) and [Chelsea](https://theathletic.com/football/team/chelsea/) are faltering dramatically. [Scott McTominay](https://theathletic.com/football/player/scott-mctominay-rXernJIkIW9dTOdt/) and Martinez. [Raphael Varane](https://theathletic.com/football/player/raphael-varane-fqIirRcGC4muo1f5/). [Lisandro Martinez](https://theathletic.com/football/player/lisandro-martinez-lZNyZmtnsD6xHZZP/) is only out of the side because he went and won the [World Cup](https://theathletic.com/football/world-cup/) with [Argentina](https://theathletic.com/football/team/argentina/). [Erling Haaland](https://theathletic.com/football/player/erling-haaland-UqdITFAwdmIrBQfd/) when City were 1-0 up, seemingly wanting more dynamism from his runs in behind. [Tottenham](https://theathletic.com/football/team/tottenham-hotspur/) have been patchy. [Kevin De Bruyne](https://theathletic.com/football/player/kevin-de-bruyne-TX7pFeb0aiHzuvjI/). [Manuel Akanji](https://theathletic.com/football/player/manuel-akanji-Yp2KW0dxtNBRNgBB/) also shuffled along, leaving a gap for Fernandes to run into. [League One](https://theathletic.com/football/efl-league-one/), but winning is a habit and can translate to the Premier League. [Bruno Fernandes](https://theathletic.com/football/player/bruno-fernandes-qr6VV7sJwbrbqULf/) and [Christian Eriksen](https://theathletic.com/football/player/christian-eriksen-IdnyhU0AWBdF3utd/) for the two [Marcus Rashford](https://theathletic.com/football/player/marcus-rashford-xgQlXcNj79jwXiD4/) chances in the first half. [Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City: Statistics, formations, xG](https://theathletic.com/football/game/manchester-city-vs-manchester-united/IUgRfLMa3GGlWkuh/) [Erik ten Hag on Man Utd title hopes: ‘The fans may dream but we are not’](https://theathletic.com/4090655/2023/01/14/erik-ten-hag-manchester-united-title/) [Manchester United](https://theathletic.com/football/team/manchester-united/) will never be 5,000-1 — the odds you could get on Leicester at the start of the 2015-16 season — to finish atop the English pyramid, but equally, nobody would have picked Erik ten Hag as a potential title winner in his first campaign in charge, especially after such a disastrous start.

For years, Manchester United ruled over English football, collecting 13 Premier League trophies between 1992 and 2013, as well as the world's best players ...

“At a top club like this, it has to be like that,” defender Luke Shaw said, according to ESPN, after Ten Hag dropped Rashford. “He’s the cement between the stones. “He’s so important,” said Ten Hag, according to the BBC. It all culminated in November when Ronaldo said he felt “betrayed” by United and that he has no respect for Ten Hag in a controversial interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV, and he later left the club with immediate effect. Following a disastrous start to his tenure, Erik ten Hag appeared to be conforming to the pattern but he has stamped his authority on this United side on and off the pitch. Only Jose Mourinho lasted more than two years.

Manchester United stunned Manchester City in the Manchester Derby and came back from a goal down to win 2-1 at Old Trafford.

On the other hand, United had a handful of efforts with Rashford seeing one of his attempts cleared off the line and another saved by Ederson after going through on goal. But after a VAR review, the call was reversed and United were awarded the goal. Rashford was offside but didn’t touch the ball, allowing Fernandes a shot from just outside the area who placed it past Ederson.