Rashford stunner in vain as masterful Manchester City show no signs of slowing

There was a curious section of Pep Guardiola's post-match address, where he told Sky Sports that he thought his side's first-half performance was better than their second.

A half with no goals scored, and one conceded, was better than a 45-minute period that contained three goals for and zero against?

It sounds strange on the face of it, but you break down his comments beyond surface value and you begin to understand the sentiment - 90 per cent pass completion, 18 shots and a generated xG of 2.73 - albeit questions can still be asked of the exact rationale behind an assertion so bold.

In truth, City were dominant throughout, it's just that Manchester United were fresher and tactically more astute before the break. They contained City better, staying organised and compact. Andre Onana was commanding too.

Unfortunately for Erik ten Hag, the same resilience was not applied to the second half and Manchester United crumbled under the weight of City's relentless pressure. This was an ominous all-round display. One that should worry both Arsenal and Liverpool in the title run-in.

Neither Kevin de Bruyne nor Erling Haaland were particularly on song, but that didn't matter. City reeled United in, just as they have done with their fellow title challengers - the perfect way to limber up for next Sunday's potentially defining showdown against Liverpool.
Laura Hunter

Erik ten Hag had claimed that Marcus Rashford could be unstoppable when at his best and that was the only way to describe his strike that stunned Manchester City early on. It was a blistering riposte to those who had criticised his performances this season.

There is no denying that Rashford has underwhelmed - this was only his sixth goal of Manchester United's campaign in all