Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side win third Manchester derby
Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay secured Manchester United a stunning third derby victory of the season as Ederson endured a dismal afternoon in the Manchester City goal.
There was skill, tension and no little controversy as these bitter rivals met in the top flight for the 150th time, with Pep Guardiola's men looking to gain bragging rights at a ground that has been so good to them recently.
But the City boss would lose his first Premier League match at Old Trafford as Ederson floundered, having failed to deal with Martial's superb volley before gifting McTominay the chance to add stoppage-time gloss as the Manchester derby ended 2-0.
United's first home league win in the Manchester derby since April 2015 was a welcome shot in the arm as they bid to qualify for the Champions League, although the result may hasten bitter rivals Liverpool's title triumph.
But the Old Trafford faithful will not care after the hosts held firm during a strong City start and went ahead through a stunning set-piece routine - from a free-kick City could not believe was given, following a challenge on Bruno Fernandes by Ilkay Gundogan - as Fernandes' delicate clipped ball over the back line was volleyed through Ederson's grasp by Martial.
United were soon aggrieved when Fred was shown a yellow card for diving in the box despite Nicolas Otamendi making contact.
The controversial lack of VAR intervention on that decision would have been even harder for the home team to swallow had Sergio Aguero's goal stood at the start of the second half given United had all but downed tools with the flag raised.
Ederson was counting his blessings moments later after denying Martial with a tackle, having uncharacteristically miscontrolled at the start of a second half that City dominated.
But the hosts held firm as the rain fell, with Ederson's poor throw returned with interest by McTominay at the death as United added to this season's league and Carabao Cup wins at the Etihad Stadium.
Opta facts
- Manchester United completed a league double over Manchester City for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, last achieving it in the 2009-10 campaign.
- Manchester City suffered their seventh defeat of the Premier League campaign, making 2019-20 the season in which Pep Guardiola has lost the most league games in his managerial career.
- Manchester United are now unbeaten in their last 10 games across all competitions (W7 D3); their longest run without defeat since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first 11 games in charge of the club between December 2018 and February 2019.
- This was Manchester City’s third defeat against Manchester United in all competitions in 2019-20 – it is the second time in Pep Guardiola’s managerial career that he has suffered as many as three defeats against a specific opponent in as single season (also versus Liverpool in 2017-18).
- Anthony Martial is only the second Manchester United player to score in three consecutive Premier League starts in Manchester derbies, and the first since Eric Cantona netted in five in a row between March 1993 and April 1996.
- Anthony Martial became the first Manchester United player to score home and away against Manchester City in the same Premier League campaign since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2006-07.
- Since making his debut in the competition on February 1st, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in more goals in the Premier League than any other player (five - two goals and three assists).
- Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling became the fourth-youngest player to reach 250 appearances in the Premier League (25y 91d), after Wayne Rooney, James Milner and Gareth Barry.