MARCUS RANSFORD DID IT AGAIN FOR MANCHESTER UNITED

Eighteen years and 141 days. Marcus Rashford is the youngest goalscorer in the modern history of Manchester derbies.

171 matches stretching back to 1881 is the full record. First time out, Newton Heath defeated West Gorton 3-0. So Manchester United won.

All the Manchester greats have taken part, too: George Best almost caused a riot by breaking Glyn Pardoe’s leg, Denis Law scored his infamous backheel, Peter Schmeichel played for both sides and never lost a match, Michael Owen scored a 4-3 winner in the 95th minute and City got six at Old Trafford in 2011. It is among football’s richest rivalries and now Rashford has his brief chapter.

What a remarkable debut season this has been for the teenager. A battlefield promotion for a Europa League tie in Denmark, a matchwinner against Arsenal and now this. 

It isn’t just that Rashford scored, but the beautiful way he took his goal, ruining Martin Demichelis, who went on to have one of the poorest games in a blue shirt since the money arrived.

Credit to Louis van Gaal, too, for sticking with a teenager at such a vital time in the season. Rashford’s goal has propelled United back into the Champions League mix, so it is fair to say the manager’s faith has been repaid.

These are worrying times for Manchester City, though. Rashford scored after 16 minutes, so City had another 74 to get back in the game and couldn’t. They have won a single match against the teams currently occupying the top nine places this season — Southampton, at home — and have four of those teams to play between now and the end of the campaign.

When Pep Guardiola bought into the City project he probably did not envisage it encompassing Europa League football next season. He says he only works three years at his football clubs, so probably won’t be happy if one of them is spent in Champions League exile, busier on a Thursday than any other day midweek.

A point now separates three teams jostling for fourth place — Manchester City, West Ham and Manchester United. Van Gaal’s team are placed third in that mini group but will take tremendous heart from this.

West Ham are the team in form while City look increasingly lost domestically. With United coming off a humbling European exit at the hands of Liverpool, this was an opportunity to leave them a significant distance from fourth, too. 

Instead, United deserved their victory. They had a good penalty call rejected and City’s defence was desperately uncomfortable all game.

Demichelis, in particular, was a liability, as influential in his own way for United as Rashford. At fault for the goal, for injury to goalkeeper Joe Hart and also missing a good header, he was removed after 52 minutes — despite this being City’s third substitution of the game.

Ultimately, Manuel Pellegrini preferred to risk another injury, ending with 10 men, than keep Demichelis on a moment longer.

Yet take nothing from Rashford, United’s own man of the moment — ‘a real striker’ as Van Gaal called him.

Team-mate Chris Smalling said he would not enjoy playing against a striker with his pace and that is the bottom line. Pace terrifies and defenders enjoy facing pacy forwards as much as batsmen enjoy a barrage from fast bowlers. Once Rashford skinned Demichelis for the goal, the Argentine never recovered. Pellegrini said he was ‘nervous’ — and no wonder.

Rashford was born on October 31, 1997 and for those who believe in omens, Manchester United were top of the Premier League, while City languished fourth from bottom in tier two. They weren’t even Manchester’s second team back then — as well as United, Bolton, Bury and Stockport County all occupied superior positions. As, incredibly, did Port Vale and Crewe.

No chance of those times returning now City are in the money, but that did not stop the travelling red contingent celebrating as if their rivals were relegated to the margins once again.

In reality, neither team is greatly impressive right now, but United at least made the most of what they had, which City did not. Pellegrini claimed they dominated, but they were chasing the game for the majority of it.

United looked more incisive. They no longer possess the energy of the Ferguson era and are inclined to take the negative option too eagerly, but Rashford is a real find and his pace and directness can be terrifying. 

Speed changes matches. City were doing rather well until Rashford intervened. They had the better of the possession early on and forced a good save by David de Gea from Jesus Navas. In addition, Smalling was booked for stupidly tugging at Sergio Aguero, bringing back memories of his senseless sending off in the corresponding match here in 2014. Fouling Aguero in the second half, he was lucky not to see red.

Yet as City settled in, Rashford struck. Juan Mata slipped the ball through, Rashford left Demichelis on his backside and was equally unfazed by the advancing Hart. He drew England’s goalkeeper and slipped the ball smartly past him.

It was a torrid afternoon for Demichelis. Shortly before half time he was beaten again by Rashford and sent the striker tumbling to the turf. Demichelis made a big show of reacting angrily to Rashford’s fall, but it was an act. He had been skinned once more and lunged in clumsily. City were very fortunate to still be in touch. Why referee Michael Oliver failed to give it, who knows?

Then there was an incident at the start of the second half that cost City their goalkeeper for up to a month. Hart played the ball out to Demichelis who, quickly under pressure, returned it in panicky and sloppy fashion.

Suddenly, Hart was in a 50-50 on the edge of the six-yard box with Anthony Martial, which he won bravely, but at a cost. Stretching to clear, Hart looked to have torn a calf muscle. He stayed down, holding the injury, and was carried off. This was the second casualty for City and England, Raheem Sterling having suffered what appeared to be a groin injury following a foul tackle from Mata.