VIDEO: Sensational from Marcus Rashford! Man Utd forward rifles Red Devils into derby lead at City with stunning 25-yard strike that crashes in off the crossbar

There were less than eight minutes on the clock when the Red Devils hit the front at the Etihad Stadium in stunning style. A long ball forward was fed back in Rashford’s direction by Bruno Fernandes, and he gave Ederson no chance with a long-range rocket.

United were eager to burst out of the blocks at the home of their arch-rivals, but could not have dreamt of making a better start. Questions have been asked of Erik ten Hag and his Red Devils of late, with there no better time than derby day to deliver a response.

City probably felt fairly comfortable when United went long early on, with Fernandes closed down and forced away from goal. Rashford, though, arrived with perfect timing and could not have made sweeter connection with his strike.

Marcus Rashford has now scored five goals against Manchester City in the Premier League; only Wayne Rooney (8) and Eric Cantona (7) have netted more for Manchester United against them in the competition.

United have work to do if they are to remain in the hunt for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification, while City know that they have little margin for error in a Premier League title race that also includes Liverpool and Arsenal.