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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Isaac Johnson

What Bruno Fernandes did just before Manchester United equaliser and more moments missed vs Man City

Manchester United completed a stunning comeback against City to extend their winning run to nine matches in Saturday’s electric derby.

After Jack Grealish nodded the visitors in front on the hour mark three minutes after coming on, Bruno Fernandes brought the game level via a controversial VAR decision.

The on-running Marcus Rashford was adjudged not to be interfering with play from Casemiro’s through ball, allowing Fernandes to sweep home on 78 minutes. And four minutes later super sub Alejandro Garnacho teed up Rashford to net his 16th goal of the season to bag a fantastic three points for United.

READ MORE: United player ratings vs City

The Reds have now beaten Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and City at home this season. Here are a number of things United fans may have missed amid the frantic afternoon.

Fernandes the leader

Fernandes was vocal throughout the game, instructing and urging his teammates on. He sent Old Trafford into raptures with his equaliser just moments after showing why he was wearing the armband.

David de Gea had hit one of his stray passes a few moments before a series of defensive passages, as City tried to find a second. Fernandes gestured to his teammates for calm and to keep their heads before the midfielder’s bursting run to hammer home the leveller.

And after an interview with BT Sport at full-time, he made sure that Rashford got the acclaim from United fans, pushing the attacker ahead of him and gesturing to the fans to aim their cheers in the forward's direction.

Ten Hag’s reaction to winner

The Reds boss was overcome with jubilation when Rashford poked home the winner eight minutes from time. The Dutchman isn’t afraid to show his delight when his team scores and did so again here.

(BT Sport)

Ten Hag was pictured leaping down the touchline when the ball hit the net, punching the air on his way. A real sense of unity between fans, staff and squad once again.

Quick change in substitution plans

After Fernandes’ strike was given, Ten Hag quickly decided against making a handful of substitutions he was about to send on. Scott McTominay and Lisandro Martinez were poised to take to the grass but the equaliser prompted him to change tack.

He instead left the players he had on the pitch to carry on the charge, and he was rewarded when Rashford found the winning goal four minutes later. McTominay and Martinez eventually did come on, entering on 90 minutes to see out the win, the latter winning a number of crucial headers in the dying embers.

Weghorst watches win

New signing Wout Weghorst was in attendance to watch the game from the stands with his family. The striker was announced as a United player on Friday evening.

He was registered too late to play in Saturday’s derby but could make his debut against Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Weghorst seemed to enjoy the match after being given a taste of a raucous Old Trafford.

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