Man City 2-1 Man United – Premier League: Live score team news and updates as Phil Foden nets a brilliant double to turn derby on its head after Marcus Rashford opened scoring

It’s Foden again, they have turned it around!

He has rescued City, and he has done it against their biggest rivals, the Etihad erupts into celebration.

It’s another fantastic goal, he plays a lovely one-two with Julian Alvarez before sliding it across and just past Andre Onana.

The United keeper did get a touch, but can’t keep it out.

That could be a huge goal in the context of the title race, I imagine fans of Liverpool and Arsenal let out a huge sigh when the net rippled.

Man United fans are screaming for a penalty after Ederson slides through Alejandro Garnacho as he races through into the box.

VAR does check it but clears it very quickly.

Ederson got the ball before the man, it was a beautiful challenge.

I love how modern-day goalkeepers can do that.

What a game this would be to answer his critics. The last time he graced the Etihad turf, he did score, but United did lose 6-3.

He hasn’t scored many since, but he is on now for… Marcus Rashford, the goalscorer.

I wasn’t expecting him to come off. He got this game underway with an incredible strike, his work here is done.

Not his best free-kick ever.

The resulting set-piece is fired straight into the wall by Kevin de Bruyne.

I was expecting it to go in, going off the goals we have already had in this game.

This is a big chance for Manchester City.

Erling Haaland charges at the United defence and is taken down just outside the area.

Moments after, Erik ten Hag makes his first change as youngster Willy Kambwala comes on for Jonny Evans.

Anyway, this is Kevin de Bruyne territory, he can bury these on his day.

Andre Onana has just gone down injured… with cramp.

It’s not normal for a goalkeeper to go down with cramp, especially after only 65 minutes!

I’m not sure that is completely fair play from the United keeper, he is back up and playing again now.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Etihad Stadium:

It’s to Lindelof’s credit that Foden has had no joy going outside him. It’s been left foot on the inside or bust all day for the City player. But what a goal from Foden. What a strike. The second best goal of the afternoon..

As for the controversy that preceded it, it’s such a tough one to call.

Kyle Walker definitely put his arm on Rashford. Equally I suspect Rashford felt he was losing the race against City’s right-back and as such was happy to go down.

Did Walker actually bring Rashford down or could he have stayed on his feet? If I had to call it, I would go with the latter…he could.

Chris Wheeler, Mail Sport, at the Etihad Stadium:

Lindelof at left-back always looked like the weak link for Utd and he couldn’t get close enough to block that Foden equaliser.

And now, Pep Guardiola looks to the bench.

jeremy Doku’s game is up and Julian Alvarez, who had started every league game until last week at Bournemouth, comes on in his place.

There is going to be an onslaught now from the hosts, United need to somehow stay in it if they want anything from this match.

Phil Foden watched Marcus Rashford’s strike earlier and thought ‘I’ll match you’ and he just has.

He bends it into the top lefthand corner with aplomb. He loves a goal against Man United, does Foden, and I think that may just be his best against them.

Erik ten Hag is not happy as he thinks there was a foul on Marcus Rashford, and he gets booked for his protests. It was never a foul.

They are level, and now you can only see it going one way.

Now that was cheeky from Casemiro.

Man United have been under intense pressure in the second half, but have finally had a touch of the ball.

Casemiro even gets a little nutmeg in for good measure, which looked extremely satisfying.

Andre Onana gets the smallest of touches on Jeremy Doku’s strike that diverts it out of danger.

Man United have a lot to thank him for, as it stands.

I wonder what tune they were playing?

Man City will be wanting to find theirs rather soon!

Right, we are back underway again!

I wonder what Pep Guardiola said to his team at the break, they need to change things, and quick.

I’m assuming Erik ten Hag just said more of the same. You feel they will need another goal, City always score.

For those of you who haven’t seen it, here is the Erling Haaland miss.

You will all think it is edited, but it isn’t.

This is the difference at the interval.

What a strike it was, no one was expecting it, but it flew in off the bar. Exceptional.

What a time to do it as well, in the Manchester Derby away from home.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Etihad Stadium:

United’s tactics without the ball are clear. Sit deep but also sit narrow. Often when City come at them, United have all ten outfield players squeezed within the width of the 18-yard box.

City’s solution to that, of course, is to go wide but so far Diogo Dalot has had a very good afternoon against Jeremy Doku on the right side of United’s back four while the Lindelof-Foden battle on the other side is also far from one-sided.

Other stand out performers for the visiting team in the first half – Rashford’s goal notwithstanding – have been Onana in the United goal and Casemiro just in front of the back four.

The stats suggest City should still win in the game. But there has been an impressive desire and unity about United.

In terms of that Erling Haaland miss just before half-time, I have no idea why he didn’t just stoop and head it in…

I still can’t believe it.

Are we all dreaming, did he really miss that?

Yeah, he did. We aren’t used to seeing it, but sometimes Haaland doesn’t get everything right.

As I said, he is human, but at the same time, how big will that miss be in the context of this match, and this season?

Oliver Holt, Mail Sport Chief Sports Writer, at the Etihad Stadium:

This is bound to be a jinx but United’s defence has been superb so far this afternoon. Special mention for Andre Onana, who took a lot of deserved criticism in the aftermath of his move from Inter Milan but has shown increasing signs of settling into his role at United.

His handling has been superb against City and his save from Foden earlier preserved United’s lead. He even got a bit of luck when Haaland missed that open goal on the stroke of half time.

Kyle Walker is the last Man City player to have a crack, and then after a corner, the whistle is blown for the interval.

Nobody was expecting this, Manchester United lead at the Etihad Stadium after 45 minutes.

It was a goal worthy of winning any match, Marcus Rashford answered his critics by crashing one in from nearly 30 yards. It was the kind of goal that leaves your mouth gaping wide open.

After the initial shock, the hosts did start to dominate and should have been level just before the break through Erling Haaland, but somehow he missed from three yards out.

I didn’t think Haaland could miss chances like that, but it shows he really is human.

Man united fans will be delighted, but there is a long way to go, City don’t back down.

Can City find a goal before the break?

There is no other way to put it. Erling Haaland has just put one over the bar from three yards out.

I don’t know how he has missed, neither does he, or even Pep Guardiola.

It makes no sense. He scored five the other night!

What a huge let-off for the visitors.

Kobbie Mainoo has just taken a powerful Phil Foden strike to the face.

He drops to the ground, that has got to hurt.

The Man City fans feel no sympathy though, they boo.

I think that ball is heading in my direction, all the way to London!

Kevin de Bruyne can do exceptional things, but that was not one of them.

He tried to blast one on the volley from distance… it nearly went out the ground.

I have just seen the stats of this match, and oh boy, City have been dominant.

The hosts have had 14 shots to Man United’s two, and City are starting to ramp up the pressure going into the break.

However, the only stat that matters is what is on the scoreboard, and United fans will have a smile when looking at it.

Andre Onana has been brilliant so far, and has just made another excellent save!

We know what Rodri can do from distance, and he lets fly a sizzling strike that is heading towards the bottom corner, but Onana reaches it to divert it wide.

This is the Onana United fans wanted to see when he arrived from Inter Milan.

That is a half chance for Erling Haaland, you don’t want to give him those.

Luckily for Man United, he can’t take this one as his header dips over the bar.

It came off Casemiro’s head first, it just didn’t sit right for Haaland.

This is not what Pep Guardiola had in the script, or any of us for that matter.

Man City just don’t look themselves at the moment, they are giving Manchester United a lot of opportunities on the counter-attack.

What can this man do to change things?

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Etihad Stadium:

City have definitely been troubled by that incredible Rashford goal. Their subsequent possession has not carried its usual cohesion.

As for Andre Onana in the United goal, the last three times I have seen him play live – here, Forest last week and at Aston Villa before that – he has looked like a very good keeper indeed. Twice already here he has produced good saves and has also looked very comfortable at corners and set pieces.

Long way to go yet but Pep Guardiola has already been calling for more from the home supporters…

Another big moment for Marcus Rashford and Manchester United.

United have been hitting City on the counter with ease, and they did it again here.

The ball comes into the box and both Scott McTominay and the aforementioned Rashford are there.

The ball sails over to Rashford and he miskicks it. If he could have set up McTominay, he would have had a tap-in.

Big, big save from Andre Onana.

Man City ripped open United’s defence there, Phil Foden is in acres of space as he charges down on goals.

Onana makes an early decision to rush Foden, and it works, he manages to get in the way of his strike.

Brilliant from Kyle Walker.

Marcus Rashford is clean through, you think a second goal is beckoning, but the United goalscorer takes a poor touch and Walker cleans up.

The City full-back was moving at some pace!

Huge missed chance though, for United.

City seemed a little shocked by that goal, as did their fans.

They seem to be back in some sort of rhythm again now as Phil Foden forces a save from Andre Onana.

The resulting corner comes to nothing.

The goal has come so early though, that City won’t be panicking yet. There is lots of time left in this game.

Gary Neville, commentating on Sky Sports:

That’s the best way to answer everybody, smash one in the net from 25 yards.

Ake allows Fernandes to get in behind. It’s a 1 in 20, 1 in 30 chance that you think Rashford is going to beat Ederson from there. It’s a beauty from Manchester United’s number ten.

That is an absolute scorcher from Marcus Rashford.

Bruno Fernandes gets in behind before setting up Rashford who is easily 30 yards out – you wouldn’t expect what was to happen.

He let’s fly and it cannons in off the bar! We were all wondering what Rashford would turn up, well, there is your answer.

I let out a very strange noise when that went in, I was not expecting it.

The first signs of Man United’s attacking threat has come.

They hit City on the counter, and Alejandro Garnacho goes bursting through on the righthand side before trying to square it for Marcus Rashford. However, Ederson collects.

I think Garnacho waited too long there, he should have released a lot sooner, there were gaps gap in in behind.

Promising signs though, for United fans.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Etihad Stadium:

As strange as it sounds, there are some spaces in the away end – right at the back and in the corners. I would imagine there is a reason for it.

If there is one thing that can not be doubted about Manchester United, it’s the endless capacity for punishment of their away support.

Man City want a penalty, John Stones falls to the ground amongst a sea of bodies.

It looks like Casemiro gets a touch on the ball and Stones then takes out his own legs.

City are on the front foot from the off, as we expected.

They earn two corners within 90 seconds, they are well up for this, as are the fans.

You feel United are just going to sit tight for a while.

I’m assuming Manchester United have won the toss, as they have chosen to switch ends.

Blue Moon has been sung, the players are ready, I am ready, we are all ready!

Just listen to the Etihad Stadium, they are pumped.

What a beautiful day this is for the Manchester Derby, the sun is out in March!

Who will come out on top? We get underway in just a moment.

Erik ten Hag, Manchester United manager, speaking to Sky Sports:

We had some physical complaints and they really fought to be part of this game.

Sometimes we want to overload the midfield by movement and a little bit of confusion there. We have a lot of speed, Garnacho, Rashford, from McTominay, even from the third line with Dalot.

There is a lot of space in their backline. Scott is a fantastic runner from the second line. City always has a good counter-press. We have players who can do it from attack and midfield.

Jonny struggled lately but he is one of the players who fought to play this game. This is the strongest back four I think we have available.

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, has spotted both Lisandro Martinez and Rasmus Hojlund on the sidelines during the warm-ups.

Both out through injury, they are giving as much support as they can.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Etihad Stadium:

‘Eat or be eaten’ says Erik Ten Hag.

I like that, Erik. I like that a lot. Tuck your napkin in, son..

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager, speaking to Sky Sports:

Yes, there are crucial moments but you have to play all the games. It’s an opponent that we know the strength and the quality that they have.

Erik [ten] Hag knows their plan better than me but we will try to figure it out as quickly as possible, read it and provide the right dose of energy to perform well.

We have to stay calm because we don’t need to bring anything to this game. It’s a derby so it does the job for you.

Want a good stat? Of course, you do!

Jonny Evans is set to start for Manchester United today, the last time he played Jonny Evans in the derby was over a decade ago – back in December 2012!

I bet if you told Evans this time last year that he would feature in a Manchester Derby again in the future, he would laugh.

Manchester United’s line-up has raised many questions.

As they are without a recognised striker, we are all guessing which system Erik ten Hag is going to play.

My guess is that Marcus Rashford is going to be starting up top. In the past, that has not always gone to plan.

Will he manage to cause damage to City, if he is indeed leading the line?

Sifting through the comments on this post, I have come to a conclusion.

Everybody thinks that Manchester United are going to get battered.

Have they ever been this much of an underdog in the club’s history?

Is it too farfetched to say Manchester United are in with a shot today? I don’t think it is.

Yes, it is a very tough ask, but we have seen in the past that when a team are so heavily favourites, it doesn’t always work in their favour.

The United players looked deadly serious as they arrived at the Etihad, while Erik ten Hag looked in good spirits.

Does he know something we don’t?

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Etihad Stadium:

All quiet inside the Etihad at the moment but it wont be for long.

Derby day is always derby day and as such Manchester United fans will travel across town in hope if not quite expectation.

The teams are in and it looks as though United manager Erik ten Hag has gone for some midfield security and the inclusion of Scott McTominay, Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro suggests it will be a 4-5-1 (or version of) for the visiting team.

In terms of individual match-ups, Phil Foden versus Victor Lindelof down the right side of City’s attack could be ‘interesting’. The last time I saw Lindelof at left-back was at Aston Villa two or three Sundays ago and he was absolutely terrible.

City’s line-up, meanwhile, is heavily influenced by the fact Wednesday’s Champions League game here against FC Copenhagen is pretty much a dead rubber. City lead 3-1 from the first leg and that has allowed Pep Guardiola to fill this team with first choice attacking players.

As for a prediction? United are being priced at 9-1 and 10-1 by some bookmakers to win this game and that speaks volumes.

I will go 3-1 Manchester City….

What a game it is set up to be in Manchester.

My excitement is building by the second, I am itching to see which City and United turn up today.

Every man and his dog is backing City to knock over United with ease, but will it pan out that way?

What are your predictions? Comment on the post below!

Chris Wheeler, Mail Sport, has been taking in the atmosphere of this massive clash as the teams arrived.

Let’s hear his thoughts ahead of the big clash!

Bruno Fernandes starts, which means the United captain is set to make his 150th Premier League appearance for the club.

In that time he has scored 47 goals and provided 38 assists, while ending 80 of those matches on the winning side – not a bad record.

However, Fernandes has failed to find the back of the net in his last 14 games in the Premier League – not such a good record.

United are going to need him at his very best today because when he is, there aren’t many better attacking midfielders in the league.

If he isn’t though, it could be a long afternoon for them…

Manchester City have arrived and to some welcome!

The City fans are well up for this, they know how much it means.

As a player when you drive through a crowd like that it must fill you with so much motivation.

The adrenaline is well and truly pumping now.

Oliver Holt, Mail Sport Chief Sports Writer, at the Etihad Stadium:

Fans are starting to trickle into the Etihad but it’s hard to find any of them who think Manchester United have a chance. The bookmakers are with them, too.

For a game traditionally as fiercely contested as this, it is unusual to be able to get odds of 8-1 or better for a United win.

If there’s anyone who could help United upset those odds, it’s probably Marcus Rashford, or least last season’s version of him. United fans outside the ground have been expressing some disillusion with him but they also know he’s their best chance of dealing City an unexpected blow.

Well, this is a starting XI that could line up in many different ways.

There is no orthodox striker for Manchester United as Rasmus Hojlund sits out the derby with injury.

Will Bruno Fernandes start in the front three, or will it be Scott McTominay?

Looking at that team it will take a monumental effort for them to get something from this game.

Oh Jack, you were so close to getting it bang on!

So, it is indeed Jeremy Doku who starts at left wing for Manchester City.

Both Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne also start after their stunning performances at Luton in the FA Cup. Josko Gvardiol also returns to the bench after injury.

That is one frightening team.

Here they are, the underdogs.

As I said earlier, I’m not sure I will get used to saying that.

Who will Erik ten Hag select for this massive fixture?

The atmosphere is building in Manchester.

When the whistle blows in just over you already know that the decibel levels are going to be high.

Derby Day atmospheres are always top-notch.

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at the Etihad Stadium:

A few selection dilemmas with City today (Walker or Akanji or both?) but the biggest call for Pep Guardiola today is what he does out on the left wing.

There’ve been calls for Mathues Nunes to start out there over Jeremy Doku in the absence of Jack Grealish. Or does he go with Phil Foden wide and opt for an extra passer in the central areas?

I’d probably be tempted to go with Ederson; Akanji, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri; Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Doku; Haaland

But then I’m not paid the big money!

Last time these two clashed in the Premier League, City were imperious, and United, well, they were dreadful.

It was a day United fans will not want to remember. City ruled supreme at Old Trafford without having to break a sweat. It really showed the gulf in class between the two teams.

Erling Haaland was his devastating self on that occasion, scoring a brace before Phil Foden finished off the Red Devils with 10 minutes left to play.

Has that gap closed in the months that have followed, or will it be de ja vu for United at the Etihad?

Phil Foden, speaking to Sky Sports pre-match:

It’s a special occasion, growing up in the academy I understood what it means to the fans to win a game like that, so it’s very special.

(Last year’s Manchester Derby) was good energy, we were believing, we were going into the game with good rhythm.

That feeling to score in a derby at the Etihad. To score that many goals so early settles the nerves. We knew straight away Haaland was going to score a lot of goals, we were all excited to play with him.

I think he heard me screaming for the ball, it’s a fantastic cross that he gave me.

It was 4-0 but (Pep) Guardiola still wasn’t happy with us, he thought we could do better. I expected Haaland to score goals but maybe not that many.

The Manchester Derby has had its fair share of iconic moments.

Asahi Super Dry has released new research surveying 500 City fans, with one in five claiming they’d rather lose their phone than suffer defeat to rivals Manchester United.

They then also voted for their top 10 best moments from previous derbies, and there are some crackers in there. Very nostalgic.

I know you all want to look at the list, so here you go:

1. Haaland’s second goal in 6-3 win – Oct 2022

2. Aguero coming on as a sub and scoring an individual goal at Old Trafford 3-0 win – 2013

3. Mario Balotelli stole the headlines in an emphatic 6-1 City win – 2011

4. Foden’s first goal in 6-3 win – Oct 2022

5. Fernandinho with a low shot from 20 yards in League Cup at Old Trafford – 2021

6. Denis Law’s outrageous back-heel at Old Trafford helped to relegate the Reds – 1974

7. Ilkay Gundogan volley 1st min FA Cup final – 2023

8. Yaya Toure winner at Wembley FA Cup SF – 2011

9. Kompany header v United 2012 to go top with two games to go

10. Edin Dzeko scores a sixth at Old Trafford and holds five + 1 on his fingers – Oct 2011

There are some interesting ones there, maybe some recency bias coming in? But, there are some great moments in there that City fans are fond of.

I wonder what Manchester United’s list would be.

Marcus Rashford’s name has been doing the rounds in the past week.

That is because the Manchester United forward published a passionate piece on the Players’ Tribute platform on Thursday.

In the article, Rashford shared his belief that people have it in for him.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, believes that the essay can come across as an excuse.

Read what Ian Ladyman had to say, here:

When it’s derby day nerves certainly get jangling.

I have seen friends and family literally shaking when their team is involved in a derby – the emotions are heightened significantly.

Delight, despair, you can feel it all.

So, calling all fans of both City and United, how are you diddling?

City and United met for the first time in 1881, so you can say that the derby has been running for a while…

United were a dominant force for such a long time, but City have swung the pendulum in their direction over the past decade and more.

In the nine meetings between the sides since the 2020-21 season, it is clear to see who the better side has been.

United did grab a win over the treble-winners last season though, so it is not completely out of the question they could spring a surprise.

A better question would probably be, what didn’t happen yesterday?

It was another chaotic Saturday of Premier League action, I should be getting used to them by now, but there seems to be more and more carnage with every passing week. It’s brilliant.

Liverpool hit the headlines once again as Darwin Nunez netted a 99th-minute winner away at Nottingham Forest to keep them in control of the title race. It was the latest any Liverpool side has scored a winning goal in a league game. Box office.

Tottenham produced a late turnaround to topple Crystal Palace, while we saw both the best and worst of Chelsea as they drew 2-2 away at Brentford.

There was another late winner involving a side from Liverpool, but it did not go the way of Everton, as West Ham left it late to win at Goodison Park. The other two games were not as drama-filled, as both Newcastle and Fulham ran away 3-0 winners against Wolves and Brighton respectively.

Let’s not forget the late kick-off either, Aston Villa survived a second-half fightback from Luton Town as Lucas Digne netted an 89-minute header to steal all three points. Another incredible match.

As you can tell, it was goals galore, most of them late!

Yes, the boxing puns are still going, and the red corner of Manchester United will be looking to land a knockout blow at the Etihad.

United and the word underdog rarely go in the same sentence, but there is no better way to describe them going into this match.

Does that take the pressure off though? Nobody is expecting them to come away with the three points and maybe that will allow them to play with the freedom they need to make an impact.

However, they will have to play a million times better than they did against Fulham last week. The 2-1 home loss to the Londoners was their first defeat of 2024.

United currently sit sixth on 44 points, 11 behind Aston Villa who occupy the final Champions League spot. That’s a big margin to make up, so if they want to give it a crack, winning today will help them hugely.

When you’re reading this post, just imagine it’s being said in the voice of Michael Buffer. It will build up the suspense, trust me.

Fighting out of the blue corner today, we have Manchester City.

As I have already stated, the Citizens are big favourites for this Manchester derby, and even if they’re not top as it stands, the Premier League title.

Pep Guardiola has built a juggernaut of a team that always finds a way to win. They have won five out of the last six league titles, achieved the treble last season, and are still fighting on three fronts this campaign.

However, they are currently embroiled in one of the greatest title races we have seen in a while. They are not just fighting Liverpool for the Premier League, but Arsenal too and they cannot afford to slip up.

Sitting in second place on 59 points, four adrift of leaders Liverpool – whom they play next weekend at Anfield – and one clear of the Gunners in third.

Although they are expected to win big against United today, remember, it’s a derby – they are never simple.

Manchester will stand still at 3.30pm to watch its two gigantic clubs face off in a match of epic proportions.

It’s a tale as old as time, a derby that separates families. It’s blue vs red, it’s Manchester City vs Manchester United.

The fact of the matter is that City come into this match as huge favourites, but as we know in football, it’s not played on paper.

United could make a huge impact on the title race, and both Liverpool and Arsenal fans will be cheering them on like they’re their own team. I’m guessing that will feel strange to Reds fans.

Which side of Manchester will be celebrating come 5.30pm?