Manchester United vs Manchester City: Fans Disagree Over Bruno Fernandes’ Goal, Rashford Seals Crucial Win

• The Manchester derby between United and City was marked by a controversial decision
• Marcus Rashford was in an offside position but left the ball to Bruno Fernandes to score
• Questions were then asked about Rashford inadvertently drawing in Man City's players

Erik ten Hag bagged his greatest win as Manchester United's manager, after a spirited comeback saw his side beat Manchester City on January 14 at Old Trafford - albeit under controversial circumstances.

The win saw Man United insert themselves into the title race debate, as they went to within a point of Man City and within six of league leaders, Arsenal.

The game was not without controversy however, as Bruno Fernandes equalised for the hosts after Jack Grealish had given the defending champions the lead.

Man Unuted's Casemiro released a ball through on goal, which was challenged by Marcus Rashford, who was in a clear offside position.

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The England international then left the ball for his teammate, Fernandes who was onside. The Portuguese star lifted the ball past Ederson, but the celebrations were halted momentarily.

The linesman immediately ruled the goal out but after a brief discussion with the referee, Stuart Atwell, the goal was given.

Man City players would have argued the fact that because Rashford decided to vie for the ball in an offside position, the goal should have been ruled out because he had interfered with play.

Man United's argument must have been that Rashford did not touch the ball, nor did he interfere with an opposition player.

Another argument can be floated that Ederson came out because he thought Rashford was going for the ball.

Atwell was not convinced that Rashford interfered with any player and thus the goal was allowed to stand. The Video Assistant Referee was not called into action.

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Four minutes later, Rashford bagged the winner off an Alejandro Garnacho assist.

What fans thought:

@ChrisBlackham said:

"Goal stands by the rules but if you can tell me with a straight face that Ederson takes up that position if Rashford isn’t interfering you are kidding yourself."

@KofiJonah1 said:

"United fans should enjoy this decision that went in their favour. They’ll be on the other end next time. It always happens. What goes around comes around "

@BannaSpur said:

"If a player shields the ball, it is counted as him/her having possession...so yeah, offside for sure."

@SportsDjf said:

"The only way that Rashford could not have affected play is A. He stops running to allow Bruno to play the ball. Or B he runs away from the ball. Running over the hall like that commits the goalie. Would the net have been empty for Bruno if Rashford hadn't?"

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The decision notwithstanding, the win was a testament of United's improvement under ten Hag. Manchester City's only shot on target was the goal by Grealish.

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Manchester United fans all came to the same conclusion it seems, after an impressive derby win over Manchester City on Saturday.

United came from behind to beat City 2-1 in a game that sparked to life in the second half, Sports Brief reported.

It initially looked like the visitors had taken control of the game, after Grealish opened the scoring in the 60th minute with a header from Kevin de Bruyne’s cross.