Any Manchester rivalry between clubs does not extend to the pitch

IF City are relegated to the National League, then the derby was a good gauge of the dominance they would likely exert over teams in the fifth tier.

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

City had 73 percent possession, 27 attempts at goal, and 15 corners. What rivalry there is among the Manchester clubs does not extend to the pitch this season.

United were never going to take the game to City and they executed a laudable game plan for 55 minutes. Marcus Rashford scored suddenly and stunningly and he had two more opportunities that were easier.

A second goal was always required if United were to have approached their supporters in celebration at full-time. They have not won 1-0 at the Etihad in the league since Rashford ended Martin Demichelis's City career in March 2016. Ie. City BC (before the Catalan).

Erik ten Hag offered Rashford two thumbs up for his purposeful run moments before he scored and he reflected on the 'good opportunity' Alejandro Garnacho squandered at 0-0. Garnacho, on his first derby start, never truly recovered and this was a learning curve.

As futile as it is to seek positives in an 11th Premier League defeat of the campaign, Andre Onana was excellent until Phil Foden's saveable winner, Diogo Dalot neutered Jeremy Doku, there is still life in old Raphael dogs Varane, Casemiro and Jonny Evans, Bruno Fernandes was industrious and Rashford was back on the scoresheet.

Many in the away end clicked through the turnstiles hoping for a respectable defeat. They got that. United scored, sparking carnage across three red tiers in the City south stand. That gave the away dayers the best part of an hour to crow about their brief one-upmanship.