Manchester is Red! The Theatre of Dreams was bouncing with delirious fans basking in the glory of their beloved club - Manchester United, who on January 14 (Saturday) defeated defending champions Manchester City 2-1 at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag's men came from behind after Jack Grealish put Manchester City ahead at the 60th-minute mark. Bruno Fernandes found the back of the net at the 78th-minute mark to equalise, setting the stage for show-stopper Marcus Rashford, who four minutes later scored the winner.
It was almost exactly a year to the day since Marcus Rashford was substituted in an FA Cup win over Aston Villa and subsequently took his place on the bench wearing the look of a player who seemed completely bereft.
His body language, the apparent disappearance of his smile, his general form. Everything about Rashford was scrutinised to the nth degree. A few months earlier he reportedly sought the help of a sports psychologist in an attempt to move on from his part in England's Euro 2020 failure.
In simple terms, a player who once looked able to go as far as he pleased in the game was beginning to look a lost cause at Old Trafford.
Fast forward to January 14, 2023, Rashford is now the poster boy of a new era at the Theatre of Dreams, and his late winner in the Manchester derby shows both he and United are finally emerging from a nightmare.
Of course, Erik ten Hag has clearly played a role in both resurgences.
You could forgive him approaching the game with a sense of trepidation given what happened in October, as City obliterated them in a 6-3 win at the Etihad Stadium.
That was a reality check after a run of four league wins, and a defeat that led to Ten Hag essentially thanking City for showing the Red Devils how much more work they needed to do.
Since then, and before Saturday's game, only Newcastle United (24) had won more Premier League points than the Reds. Clearly, the improvement has swift and significant.
There was no avalanche of first-half goals from City this time. By the break in October, City were 4-0 up, with Phil Foden and Erling Haaland getting a brace each – the Norwegian enjoying a brutal introduction to the derby.
At the interval here, United had been the better side, creating the two best (only?) chances of the first half and restricting City to just one attempt, which was blocked anyway.
Luke Shaw's selection at centre-back looked curious, though he was once again impressive even against Haaland, and Fred's tenacity in midfield helped to reduce the influence of Kevin De Bruyne.
United found joy down the inside-left channel with Rashford, who first forced Manuel Akanji into a goal-line clearance after skipping past the stranded Ederson. The England forward then burst beyond Rodri but saw his point-blank effort smothered by the goalkeeper.
The hosts were, generally, comfortable.
(With Opta inputs)
