Winning goalscorer Marcus Rashford of Manchester United (R) and team mate Jesse Lingard celebrate victory after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
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I would suggest that the biggest effect these two EPL rivals van have on Arsenal’s season is in the games they still have left against us. A united side, lagging in confidence and momentum, would be aiming to win the match to give them any hopes of qualifying for the Champions League after West Ham dropped points against Chelsea on Saturday.
“I’m very happy. I think we played a very good first half”.
He added: “The position that we were in, in the league meant it was a must-win game”.
“Their (the players) reaction was fantastic to see in the dressing room”, Van Gaal enthused, after Rashford’s lovely 16th minute goal in his first game against Manchester City sealed what the manager seemed to feel was a victory worth more than three points. Finishing in fourth place comes with a spot in the Champions League (play-in game) for next season.
The 18-year-old Rashford took his tally to five goals in eight games since being plucked from United’s youth team to answer a striker crisis last month.
Too fast and too skilful for hapless City defender Martin Demichelis, who ended up tumbling on his backside as Rashford zoomed past, the youngster then finished with side-footed precision past Joe Hart.
Pellegrini dismissed the suggestion that with Pep Guardiola’s arrival as his replacement now public knowledge, he has lost the ability to motivate his players.
He inherits a squad that is guilty of under-achievement this season, even though they have won the Capital One Cup and remain in the Champions League.
To make things worse, City’s England goalkeeper Hart had to be taken off moments after the break, damaging his calf after rushing off his line to challenge United striker Anthony Martial following Demichelis’ poor, under-hit back pass.
Watch the Manchester City vs Manchester United EPL derby live on Sky Sports 1/HD, NBC, and the NBC Sports Live Extra.
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“Of course it’s not the best way to finish the season, but I am happy with the attitude”. If you see the attitude of the team today, (it) reflects they are all involved in what we want to do.
