Phil Foden scored two stunning second-half doubles to turn around the Manchester derby and deliver City with an essential 3-1 win against United.
Pep Guardiola’s side has moved within one point of Liverpool in an exciting Premier League title race ahead of next week’s visit to Anfield. Still, they were taken aback when Rashford unleashed an explosive 25-yard drive against them early.
Manchester City vs Manchester United
City controlled much of the first half but were left empty-handed as Erling Haaland produced an unbelievable miss when having just seconds remaining to score a goal.
Foden was denied an individual encounter against Andre Onana before responding by firing one into the top corner shortly before 60 minutes had elapsed. Rashford set an impressive example with his excellent finishing.
Guardiola turned to Julian Alvarez after seeing ineffective Jeremy Doku struggle, knowing three points would be essential in an encounter between Liverpool and Arsenal, knowing their recent form is irrefutable, with Foden exchanging passes with Alvarez in the 80th minute for an assured finish from their hometown hero.
Manchester city – Manchester united
An allocation of eight minutes of stoppage time prompted loud protest from the Etihad Stadium crowd. Still, Haaland quickly made up for his earlier errors when United’s play out from the back failed them once more and converted Rodri’s pass for another goal. For further analysis on Man City vs Man United, click here
Rash Ford’s breathtaking goal and unexpected moments define his season
Manchester United fans may have asked themselves recently whether it was worth bothering with Marcus Rashford. That question was put to bed in just the eighth minute when Marcus Rashford delivered one of those exhilarating derby goals everyone dreams of scoring: it scored just eight minutes from entering their third.
Rashford scored one of those stunning strikes nearly eight years ago at this very ground as an innocent teenager, dazzled Martin Demichelis before striking an assured finish to score one himself. Unfortunately for all players involved, however, those heady days when everything seemed possible to pass rapidly through players’ careers since then, a great deal has happened to Rashford, both good and bad.
Rashford’s performance could be considered unflattering based on what followed his amazing goal; after this magical strike, he gave more indications of who he truly is than just one impressive goal could suggest. He missed an ideal first-half chance at the far post before allowing Kyle Walker to catch and tackle him authoritatively after City’s slip let United through on goal; after that, Erik Ten Hag acknowledged Rashford had “three or four moments where he could have scored, including scoring his magnificent goal…he scored just once but should have had more.”
Phil Foden Derby Highlights
Walker left Rashford on the turf in an aggressive challenge that started Foden’s equalizer move, prompting United’s manager, Ten Hag, to send on Antony to create hard running for an under-30% possession United team that wasn’t getting anywhere with Rashford, who’d once come alive earlier that afternoon – yet one moment when Rashford no longer provided enough entertainment value was not enough for United.
Premier League derby Phil Foden
Which position best encapsulates Phil Foden? This debate will last well into Euro 2024 and beyond and was most evident with Alvarez cleverly setting up Foden for a game-breaking goal against Aston Villa on Wednesday evening. For much of the season, Alvarez had filled one of Foden’s favourite attacking midfield positions. At the same time, injuries have limited City’s options out wide for Foden to fill himself in as much. It was thus quite ironic when City signed Alvarez rather than Phil Foden when Alvarez cleverly laid on Foden’s game-breaking goal against Aston Villa; ironic given how well Alvarez had prepared him for what turned out to be his game-breaking goal against Aston Villa a mere 45 second later!
Man City vs Man United
Foden had originally intended on coming off of Alvarez’s pass from inside left position and darting onto it to score, yet they came in from the right wing. They scored one of many fantastic Etihad Stadium derby goals earlier in the half. It is best utilized when on a football pitch; given his rare talent, he is an intuitive gem who seems wired up with all of Guardiola’s football factory programming within their head.
Gareth Southgate may opt for an out-and-out defensive midfield three of Foden, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice instead, perhaps needing additional out-of-possession insurance with those two players in particular.
Guardiola’s Men Derby Victory
In such a scenario, there could be an exciting choice between Rashford and Foden on the left wing to consider. Right now, it hasn’t even come up in conversation yet. Still, it would be fascinating to witness Rashford blossom in Foden’s environment during his breakthrough years – yet in this Manchester derby lit by two shooting Mancunian stars, only one is on track for stardom.
Guardiola responded immediately when asked by reporters afterwards about where his matchwinner ranked among Premier League’s finest performers: he is at present, “without question, the very best. When he received the ball near to box, everybody felt something might happen!”
Man City vs Man United final score
Fulltime: City sealed an excellent victory against United, their afternoon marred only by Marcus Rashford’s sensational opener and missed opportunities by United striker Marcus Rashford that stood as one of Erik Ten Hag’s key regrets; however, his side was eventually outplayed as Phil Foden notched his second brace of this campaign and Erling Haaland scored to ease some of Haaland’s miss of the season candidate duties – leaving Liverpool on 63 points and City with 62 ahead of their Anfield showdown in seven days; get some popcorn!
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