Gary Neville fires perfect eight-word response to Marcus Rashford stunner for Manchester United
Man United striker Marcus Rashford stunned the Etihad Stadium inside eight minutes to give the Reds the lead over Manchester City
Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring Manchester United’s opener vs Man City
Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring Manchester United’s opener vs Man City(Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has insisted Marcus Rashford’s ‘absolutely incredible’ opener in the derby was ‘the best way to answer everybody’.
After coming under some early pressure from the hosts, United settled and promptly stunned the Etihad Stadium as Rashford unleashed an incredible strike from outside the area which flew past Ederson and went in off the underside of the crossbar.
The forward immediately ran over to the away end and was embraced by players and fans. In midweek, Rashford undertook an interview with the Player’s Tribune where he suggested criticism about his body language was unfair and that he did have a desire to play for the Reds.
Following his goal, Neville expressed on Sky Sports commentary that the goal was the perfect way to respond to the doubters. “He said in the week, if you back me good, if you doubt me better, but that is the best way to answer everybody to smash one in from 25 yards. Absolutely incredible,” the former United captain exclaimed.
“I think [Nathan] Ake just drops back in and they’re playing offside and just watch him on the near side, it just allows Bruno Fernandes to get in behind. He holds it up like a centre-forward does, and you do not think, oh it’s a one-in-30 chance that Rashford is going to beat Ederson from there.
“It comes across his body and what an angle this will be of it. It’s a beauty from Manchester United’s number 10.” The result this afternoon shall have a huge bearing on the title race and the battle for the top four.
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What caused Manchester derby tunnel spat after Man Utd boss confronted and bottle thrown
A LOOK BACK: The Manchester derby is never boring, and the emotions often boil over both on and off the field, as an ugly tunnel spat back in 2017 involving Jose Mourinho proved
Manchester United players surround Michael Oliver during the Premier League match with Manchester City
Manchester United and Manchester City players clashed in 2017
The Manchester derby is always a tense affair – both on and off the pitch.
Manchester United travel to Manchester City on Sunday hoping to avenge the 3-0 defeat that was inflicted upon them by the reigning Premier League champions back in October. Erling Haaland scored twice back then with Phil Foden grabbing the other goal on a chastening afternoon for Erik ten Hag.
Understandably given the rivalry between the two teams, previous affairs have provided plenty of fireworks. And on one occasion back in 2017, the drama spilled over past the final whistle.
Manchester City may have left Old Trafford victorious courtesy of a 2-1 win, but a handful of players were far from happy in the tunnel following a clash with former United manager Jose Mourinho.
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Erik ten Hag receives feedback on Man Utd star involved in training ground scrap
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Mourinho allegedly walked into the away dressing room and demanded that City’s players ‘show more respect’ after playing loud music while celebrating their win. Several players took umbrage with the Portuguese’s comments, with Ederson purportedly confronting him.
United players then entered the tunnel, which allegedly sparked a melee, according to details reported by The Mail at the time. It’s claimed Mourinho was hit with a water bottle during the confrontation while Mikel Arteta – who was on City’s coaching staff at the time – was left with a small cut on the head.
20 people, including players and staff, allegedly became embroiled in the clash. It was outlined that City players felt Mourinho overstepped the mark by entering the away dressing room, regardless of his frustrations.
Join the debate! What did you make of Sunday’s Manchester derby? Let us know here.
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