Football news – Anthony Martial strikes as Manchester United clinch league double over City

Manchester United secured a first league double over Manchester City since the Sir Alex Ferguson era with a 2-0 win at Old Trafford.

Anthony Martial struck on the half hour, squeezing a volley under visiting goalkeeper Ederson, before United sat deep and defended resiliently.

Sergio Aguero had a goal ruled out for offside and David De Gea made a couple of smart stops, but City struggled to convert their possession into clear chances.

City made a double substitution bringing on Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus in the 59th minute, which gave them more pace up front but it was perhaps too little too late as United dug their heels in.

Scott McTominay pounced on an awful Edersen throw in injury time to seal the three points, fizzing a shot into the empty net from 35 yards as United moved to within three points of fourth-placed Chelsea.

The result, which leaves Liverpool two wins from a maiden Premier League title, saw United defeat their neighbours home and away for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign.

City next face Arsenal at home on Wednesday, while United are in action in the Europa League last 16 against LASK on Thursday.

Was the derby missing a sense of occasion? Certainly Manchester United have more to play for as they chase a spot in the Champions League next season, meanwhile City face two seasons out of the tournament if UEFA's finding that they breached Financial Fairplay rules is upheld, and the league title is now well out of their grasp. All of this slightly begs the question, what did they have to fight for today - even if it was a derby? City definitely missed Kevin de Bruyne, who was out with a back injury, but they lacked teeth throughout, and never really looked like they had much fire in their collective belly.

Anthony Martial (Manchester United): Martial scored what looked set to be the only goal of the match until the dying moments of the game, but more than that he had real hunger, and looked a constant threat to the opposition as he continued his fine run of form.

Manchester United: De Gea 6, Lindelof 7, Maguire 7, Shaw 7, Wan-Bissaka 7, Matic 6, Fred 7, Fernandes 8, Williams 7, James 6, Martial 8. Subs: Bailly 6, McTominay 7, Ighalo NA.

Manchester City: Ederson 5, Cancelo 6, Otamendi 7, Fernandinho 7, Zinchenko 6, Rodrigo 6, Gundogan 6, Foden 6, Bernardo 6, Sterling 6, Aguero 6. Subs: Jesus 7, Mendy 6, Mahrez 7.

30’ - GOAL! United 1-0 City (Martial). Martial finally gets in there after Fernandes flicks the ball over Aguero and Otamendi. It's a great free kick and a great goal by Martial who pounces on it.

42’ - DIVE? That will be a contentious decision. Fred is booked for diving as Otamendi makes contact in the box. Didn't look like a dive from here - that should have been a penalty.

90+6’ - GOAL! United 2-0 City (McTominay). A howler by Ederson who throws the ball to Mendy but it lands at McTominay who strikes from 35 yards out to fire an absolute screamer into the back of the net.