Season recap: Man United 2 Man City 0

 

Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay were Manchester United’s derby-winning goal heroes at Old Trafford, as the Reds did the Premier League double over rivals City with a sensational 2-0 triumph.

 

The Frenchman executed a first-half volleyed goal and then McTominay audaciously finished it off, as he superbly fired in a loose clearance by Ederson in added time to secure victory in the local set-to and add to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 2-1 Etihad success in December.

 

The precious Manchester derby success keeps United well in the hunt for a top-four slot in the league and still within touching distance of Chelsea, who had won earlier in the afternoon against Everton.

 

 

 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: "It’s a privilege to have players like this. The desire and work-rate, that’s what I think the fans love about these players. To see the connections between the players, the team and the fans today – what an atmosphere. At the end, seeing everyone in the stands. You turn around and you see Sir Alex [Ferguson] up there; he is proud and it's a big moment for every one of us."

 

Harry Maguire: "We dug in deep out there. Don’t get me wrong: we can play better than that. We know that. We can play better on the ball especially. Without the ball, we pressed them really well, the midfield and forwards ran tirelessly for the team and didn’t give them a sniff to get their head up and create a chance. The back line defended our box really well. But, with the ball, we can do better and we know we can do better. However, it is a big win against our rivals. It is nice to do the double over them."

 

Bruno Fernandes maintained his perfect record of being named United's Man of the Match in every one of his Premier League appearances with another impressive display against the Blues. The Portuguese's sharp brain and quick-witted link-up with Anthony Martial led to United's vital opening goal, which came from a free-kick that Bruno himself had won after being fouled by Ilkay Gundogan. He left the pitch to a standing ovation in the final few minutes of normal time, and had clearly endeared himself to United's fans by giving Pep Guardiola a bit of lip earlier in the contest. Our no.18 won 30 per cent of the poll to decide the award, ahead of Martial (18 per cent) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (16 per cent).