The Reds produced a performance full of guts and determination to revive their hopes of Champions League qualification at city. In the end Rashford's first half goal was enough to bring the Reds the points, but that was only half the story: a determined second half defensive display kept the home side at bay to bring victory in this crucial derby encounter.
United started the game looking edgy but the best way of curing that is always to score a goal and the Reds did that with their first meaningful attack. Marcus Rashford capitalised on a half-hearted challenge from Demechelis to go through and beat Hart with a calm finish.
United immediately looked more composed and coped easily with city's fitful response to going behind, with only a couple of efforts from Toure that went wide posing any danger. As the half went on there were a series of skirmishes between Aguero and Blind but potentially the most significant coming-together occurred when a blatant foul by Demechelis on Rashford in the area went unpunished in the closing moments of the half.
The hapless Argentine defender continued in the same vein in the second half, a hospital ball back to Joe Hart result in the city keeper's rushed clearance against the oncoming Anthony Martial leading to an injury that forced him out of the game. Soon afterwards, Demechelis followed him off the pitch, city changing their formation and introducing Bony to the attack.
From there it was largely a story of the home side attacking and United defending, but such was the quality of the Reds' rearguard action, superbly marshalled by Chris Smalling, that few open chances were carved out. Aguero hit the post and, late on, really should have done better when he took the ball inside only to screw his shot wide of De Gea's post.
United hung on, however, for a win that puts them only a point behind their rivals in what now looks set to be a hotly contested battle for fourth place.
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