Rashford: The Stretford End gave us energy

Following Jack Grealish's second-half opener and Bruno Fernandes's subsequent equaliser, Rashford slotted home in the 82nd minute to seal the victory for United and clinch his ninth goal in seven games since the World Cup.

Following the match, Marcus had nothing but praise for the Reds fans, who cheered on Ten Hag's team from start to finish at the Theatre of Dreams.

“It is an amazing feeling.” he said in a post-match interview with MUTV. “[In the] second-half, going and playing towards that Stretford End, when you are tired and you are in pain and you are suffering, you want to be going towards that Stretford End, 100 percent.

"Because they keep you going and when you have an opportunity or get close to [City's] goal, they are screaming and shouting and it really does give you a lift. So, we are pleased we got the win for the fans, and to do it in the Stretford End just makes it a little bit more special.”

Rashford had a superb opportunity to open the scoring in the first half, getting past the onrushing Ederson, but the resulting shot was cleared by the City defence.

But late in the second half, with the sides locked at 1-1, Marcus got on the end of substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s cross, and Old Trafford erupted with noise.

“It is important to keep the pressure on," he said. "When you are going up, facing the Stretford End and they can feel that pressure, there is a presence there. And when the ball went in the back of the net it was just an amazing feeling and to do it at the Stretford End, there is nothing that really beats it."

A Mancunian, this fixture means a little bit more to our no.10. But despite the emotion involved, Rashford says that the three points are just as important to the Reds as bragging rights over our local rivals.

“It's a massive game," he said. "It was important for us to win this game. One, it keeps the momentum going and two it is a big game for the fans. It will do a lot for us.

"We have obviously shown progression since we last faced them. So to get the win today solidifies that, and hopefully we can keep going as a team and that was what it was today.

"I think they played better than us. They were a lot better on the ball. But we stuck together and we suffered out there on the pitch and we did that as a team and we got the win in the end.”

United now currently sit third place in the Premier League table, just a point behind City and only six points behind league leaders Arsenal. With the Reds firmly back in the hunt for their first Premier League title in 10 years, Rashford believes the only way is up for Ten Hag’s men.

“You have to. We have to look forward, we have to think positive. We obviously have another game against Palace away, which is a tough place to go. So, it is another test for us and hopefully we stand up to it and go there and win it.”