Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji calls Manchester United's first goal a joke

Manuel Akanji

Manchester United fought back for a dramatic 2-1 win against Manchester City that left their arch rivals fuming over a controversial VAR decision to allow Bruno Fernandes' equaliser on Saturday.

With just 12 minutes left at Old Trafford, United were trailing to Jack Grealish's 60th minute header in the season's second Manchester derby. But midfielder Fernandes equalised in hugely debatable fashion before Marcus Rashford bagged United's 82nd minute winner.

Fernandes' goal was the turning point and City boss Pep Guardiola and his players were seething after the flag went up for offside when Rashford ran on to Casemiro's pass. Rashford did not touch the ball and was deemed by VAR not to have interfered with play, but City were adamant the England forward clearly distracted the defenders and goalkeeper Ederson.

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"The first goal is a joke that it can be allowed," City defender Manuel Akanji told BBC Sport. "He runs for 30 metres, he's chasing the ball. In the situation, I played him [Rashford] offside. I understand he doesn't touch the ball, but for me it is clearly offside." Meanwhile, Liverpool's hopes of salvaging a top four finish from a difficult campaign suffered a major hit as Brighton swept to a 3-0 victory on the south-coast.

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