Manchester United ended Manchester City’s winning run with a 2-0 derby victory yesterday.
Bruno Fernandes’ early penalty and a rare goal from Luke Shaw earned a deserved win which was protected by no shortage of hard defensive work.
That included Marcus Rashford’s last action of the match, sprinting back to regain possession as City countered after a United corner.
Unfortunately the incident saw Rashford forced off by injury but United’s twitter account highlighted the forward’s workrate by posting the clip after the game. Assistant coach Mike Phelan sent a message in response:
Solskjaer’s hails team’s defensive effort
Speaking after the game, Solskjaer told the club website how impressed he was with the hunger to keep a clean sheet.
“You have to defend for so long and they have got players who are incredible. The tactics are brave and they play in such a way where there are threats everywhere – right, left, centre.
“There is penetration so you have to focus for 90 odd minutes so the boys deserve all of the praise that they will get tonight, but then forget about it because it is AC Milan on Thursday.
“No-one in the world of football, no team has got a chance against them without being a collective and a hungry team and you know you have to defend really well, but you have to be positive as well on the ball.”
This was exactly the kind of result and performance United needed to reignite their season.
As Solskjaer says, it’s about building on it against Milan when Europa League action resumes on Thursday.
That reinforced Phelan’s message that the demands are there to work hard in every minute of every game throughout the whole season.
Hopefully Rashford’s injury isn’t too serious and he’ll be fit for the game in midweek.
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