Manchester City 0-1 Manchester United: Marcus Rashford nets Red Devils derby winner - 7 things we learned

The 18-year-old became the youngest derby scorer in the Premier League era as his cool finish put United back in the hunt for a top four spot

VIEW GALLERY

Marcus Rashford was again the hero for Manchester United as Louis van Gaal’s men pushed themselves back into Champions League contention with a 1-0 derby win over Manchester City.
The 18-year-old skinned City defender Martin Demichelis before rolling past Joe Hart to hand the Red Devils a first half lead and subsequently all three points at the Etihad.
The young starlet should have also had a penalty for a foul by Demichelis in the first period as United’s quick attack, featuring he, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard caused untold problems to a shaky City defence.
It leaves Manuel Pellegrini’s side looking nervously over their shoulders, as they look to hang on to a top four place, while on a miserable day for the Blues, England pair Raheem Sterling and Joe Hart were both taken off injured.
Here’s 7 things we learned from the Manchester derby...

AFP/Getty

Coolly taken: Marcus Rashford opens the scoring...

AFP/Getty

...To the delight of his teammates

Reuters / Phil Noble

...But not to a dejected City

1. Martial growing in stature

While Marcus Rashford takes the headlines for his winning goal, Anthony Martial was excellent for the visitors.
Moved out to the left since Rashford’s emergence, the French starlet was impressive against Liverpool and time and again enforced his will on the first half here.
His running ability poses defenders problems and increasingly he’s playing with his head up.

Michael Regan

Running man: Martial was excellent down United's left

2. Rashford continues to flourish

Rashford skipped past Demichelis and coolly rolled the ball past Hart for his fifth goal in eight games for United, to continue the dream start to his United career.
Nothing fazes him and City couldn't handle his pace and movement; he seemed to enjoy his battle with Mangala in particular.

3. Demichelis' time has been and gone

Martin Demichelis has had a long, distinguished career, both in South America and Europe.
While he’s always lacked pace, he’s often defended with an air of calm and a dominance aerially.
But increasingly it’s looking like time for the veteran to call it a day. Skinned by Rashford for the goal, he should also have given away a penalty for a foul on the same player. This was horrific and he was unsurprisingly hooked after 52 minutes.

AFP/Getty

Too quick: Demichelis couldn't get to grips with Rashford

4. City miss De Bruyne's force

It's been almost two months since City lost Kevin de Bruyne to injury, and despite their defensive struggles you can make a case that it is he who is the Belgian they miss most, rather than skipper Vincent Kompany.
When De Bruyne has played this season, the midfielder has driven his side forward, adding verticality to the side with an ability to run from deep, play killer passes and shoot from distance.
Without him, City struggle for all of the above. Here, they were too slow in possession, allowing United to regroup behind the ball time and again; De Bruyne's ability in transition would have been a big help. The difference in quality between he and Jesus Navas is startling.

5. Schneiderlin and Carrick add security for Van Gaal

Increasingly Van Gaal has chopped and changed his midfield base for a variety of reasons in recent weeks, as he's looked for consistency from his side.
Here, he paired vice-captain Michael Carrick with all-action £24million Morgan Schneiderlin, and the pair worked well in harness; Carrick's cerebral approach a perfect match for the Frenchman's crash-bang-wallop in the face of Yaya Toure, David Silva and Fernando.
The pair were always in control in the centre of the pitch, even as United came under the cosh late on, while Carrick also made a brilliant last-ditch challenge to deny Aguero.

Nigel French/PA Wire

Strong: Schneiderlin put in arguably his best United display

6. Aguero a gem among mediocrity

If the rest of City's players displayed the same commitment and desire as Aguero, they might not be so far off the title pace.
He chased down everything, didn't give United a moment's peace and hit the post with a near post header.

AFP/Getty

7. Michael Oliver inconsistent throughout

What has happened to Michael Oliver?
Fast becoming the Premier League's No.1 official in 2015, he's had a difficult start to 2016 and was no better here.
He booked Smalling early on for a tug on Aguero, but then failed to caution Demichelis for a blatant handball, Blind for a shove on Aguero which flattened the City striker or show a second yellow to Smalling for another tug on Aguero. There shouldn't be such inconsistencies in a match of this significance.

AFP/Getty

Happy days: De Gea celebrates the victory in a match where he had little to do

Player Ratings

Man City XI: Hart 6; Sagna 6, Demichelis 0, Mangala 5, Clichy 6; Toure 6, Fernandinho 6; Navas 4, Silva 5, Sterling 5; Aguero 7
Subs: Fernando (Sterling, 26) 5, Caballero (Hart, 50) 6, Bony (Demichelis, 53) 5
Man United XI: De Gea 6; Darmian 6, Smalling 6, Blind 7, Rojo 6; Carrick 7, Schneiderlin 6; Lingard 7, Mata 7, Martial 7; Rashford 8 MOTM
Subs: Valencia (Rojo, 62) 6, Schweinsteiger (Mata, 70) 6, Fosu-Mensah (Darmian, 83)