Manchester United’s newest forward was in the stands, balancing a child on each knee. Their most expensive one started the game on the bench. Their season may not be defined by Wout Weghorst or Antony, however, as much as the rejuvenated, increasingly remarkable Marcus Rashford. Manchester City may argue that he altered the direction of a derby without touching the ball: Bruno Fernandes’ equaliser was initially disallowed because Rashford was offside when he chased Casemiro’s through pass, but allowed to stand because the Portuguese instead met it.
Casemiro was probably aiming for Rashford. There was no doubt Alejandro Garnacho was four minutes later when the striker tucked in a low cross. A Manchester derby was decided by a Mancunian. Manchester United, humiliated 6-3 at the Etihad in October, were triumphant at Old Trafford in January. Rashford, whose five previous meetings with City had yielded a lone shot on target, had the shot that mattered most.
