Manchester sky is Red! Man U beats Man City in stunning comeback

Marcus Rashford inspired Manchester United to a derby-day comeback victory over Manchester City and spark a potential Premier League title charge.

The Red Devils ran out 2-1 winners on home turf after Citizens substitute Jack Grealish had opened the scoring in the second half. Erik ten Hag’s soon men found their spirit to make it eight successive wins at Old Trafford, as Rashford – who’d looked set to come off at half-time with injury – continued his red-hot form after Bruno Fernandes equalised in controversial circumstances.

Pep Guardiola’s side could now be eight points adrift of league leaders Arsenal by the end of the weekend, having lost for the second time in four days following an EFL Cup quarter-final defeat to Southampton. It was a momentous day for the red half of the city.

City looked to be closing the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal after substitute Jack Grealish headed them in front from Kevin de Bruyne’s cross on the hour, only for United to send their fans into raptures with a superb recovery.

Erik ten Hag’s side drew level in contentious fashion with 12 minutes left as Bruno Fernandes scored despite the presence of Marcus Rashford in an offside position, City’s protests that he had interfered with play ignored despite the flag going up.

Rashford was the central figure again four minutes later when he swept in substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s cross at the Stretford End to move United to within one point of City, who remain five points adrift of Arsenal.

United left Etihad Stadium in early October chastened and bruised following a 6-3 thrashing, a scoreline that actually flattered them – but Ten Hag insisted lessons had been learned.

And so they have. This win means United have lost only one of their past 19 games in all competitions and are now on City’s heels in third place in the table, barely credible after that derby beating and a dreadful start to the season that saw them lose at home to Brighton before being overwhelmed at Brentford.

The debate over Fernandes’ equaliser will go on, but what is inescapable is the significant improvement under the disciplinarian and tactically astute Ten Hag to the point where United are looking solid in the top four and may even be casting a glance at leaders Arsenal, who are six points ahead of them.

The sight of the diminutive Luke Shaw winning a series of headers in among Erling Haaland and others in stoppage time and Raphael Varane fist-pumping and whipping up the fans at the final whistle was a sign of the renewed belief and confidence surging through United.

The reborn Rashford was not deterred by missing two first-half chances to pounce and turn Garnacho’s cross past exposed City keeper Ederson for the winner.

United’s recovery has been slow but assured under Ten Hag and the scenes at the final whistle demonstrated that a giant that had lost its way is slowing finding itself again.