United deservedly fell two goals behind to the far superior City but pulled one back through Zlatan Ibrahimovic courtesy of Claudio Bravo flapping at a Wayne Rooney free-kick. He wants to win, I want to win.
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The same pair combined to double City’s lead, Iheanacho tapping in after De Bruyne’s low shot came back off the post.
Rashford has struggled for a starting spot under Jose Mourinho since the arrival of Ibrahimovic, but he scored a stoppage-time victor against Hull City last month before linking up with the England Under-21 side, for whom he hit a hat-trick in their 6-1 thrashing of Norway.
And Custis, The Sun’s northern football correspondent, said Mourinho can not afford for players to go missing if they are to challenge for the league.
Guardiola responded to Mourinho’s changes by bolstering his own midfield, with Fernando and debutant Leroy Sane coming on and De Bruyne taking up a central forward role.
“It was hard, especially in the second half, because they were much stronger physically and in the air but I think we coped well and we had the chances to get the third in the second half”.
“For the fans it is worth more than three points”, De Bruyne noted.
Guardiola said: “We have played, not all of the games, but part of most of the games at a high level, and of course we have to continue”. Roberto Firmino scored twice while Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana also scored at Anfield, which hosted its first game of the season following the completion of work to expand the club’s main stand. But in a game against Manchester United when you have the chance to counter-attack and score, you have to do that because if not you leave the last minutes like today.
Ibrahimovic has made a flying start in the Premier League, scoring four goals in his first four matches.
“I’m kind of surprised he criticised the players so early in the season”.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says he learned a lot about his players during defeat to Manchester City. “It was the flawless result for us”.
“Honestly, I have two or three players in the first half who, if the game is now and I know what is going to happen, I don’t play them, but this is football and sometimes players disappoint managers and sometimes players give us great surprises”.
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They were unable to deal with the quick passing and movement of Pep Guardiola’s outfit, who should have won by more than the 2-1 scoreline.
