MANCHESTER -- Manchester United recorded their second big win in the space of four days after beating Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

After beating Tottenham by the same scoreline in midweek, a Marcus Rashford penalty -- awarded by VAR -- and a second from Anthony Martial put United 2-0 up inside half an hour against the reigning champions.

Nicolas Otamendi set up a nervous finish by halving the deficit five minutes from time, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team hung on to seal their first derby win since April 2018 and move to within five points of the top four.

Positives

Rashford is flying. He was in the middle of everything United did well in the first half as the visitors cut City to shreds and could have led by more than 2-0. Just like on Wednesday against Tottenham, he could have had a hat trick in the opening 30 minutes after converting his penalty, missing a decent chance and hitting the crossbar from distance. United look a different team with Rashford in this type of form.

Negatives

It will not feel important after a derby win at the Etihad Stadium, but United were close to their first clean sheet in a Premier League away game in 13 games and they could not quite hang on. Solskjaer will be disappointed that it was a set piece that let City back into it after his team defended so well for so long.

Manager rating (out of 10)

8 -- The United manager made two changes to the team that beat Tottenham, bringing in Luke Shaw and Martial for Ashley Young and Mason Greenwood. The plan was to concede possession and hit City on the break with the pace of Rashford, Martial, Jesse Lingard and Daniel James, and it worked. United were 2-0 up at half-time but it could have been four.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK David De Gea, 7 -- Didn't face a shot on target until 33 minutes had gone and United were already 2-0 up. Tipped a Rodri drive over the bar and made a good save from Riyad Mahrez.

DF Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 8 -- Made a good early block when Kevin De Bruyne had a sight of goal. Defended brilliantly and kept City's danger man, Raheem Sterling, very quiet.

DF Luke Shaw, 7 -- Thrown in for his first league start since August. Must have felt rusty but played well enough that Bernardo Silva was substituted in the second half.

DF Victor Lindelof, 7 -- Survived a penalty shout when Bernardo Silva's cross ricocheted off his arm and made a wonderful diving block when De Bruyne looked likely to score.

DF Harry Maguire, 8 -- Will be disappointed that Otamendi was allowed to head City back into it late in the second half but his positioning for most of the game was outstanding.

MF Scott McTominay, 8 -- Another big performance in another big game. The midfielder is quickly becoming undroppable and his bite in the centre of the pitch was vital here.

MF Fred, 7 -- Slick pass through a crowd to set up a chance for Dan James. Fortunate to avoid giving away a penalty on the stroke of half-time after handling Kyle Walker's cross as he slid to ground.

MF Jesse Lingard, 7 -- Had a shot saved by Ederson after being played in by Rashford. Hurried City's midfield with his energy in the hole behind Martial.

FW Daniel James, 7 -- Stung Ederson's palms with a shot inside two minutes and his pace was always a threat on the counter-attack.

FW Marcus Rashford, 8 -- Won the penalty with a driving run into the box and took the ball off Martial to score from the spot. Electric in the first half.

FW Anthony Martial, 8 -- Solskjaer said Martial wouldn't start but then he did. Forced Ederson into a good save at his near post before doubling United's lead inside half an hour with a well-placed low drive.

Substitutes

MF Andreas Pereira -- N/R

DF Ashley Young -- N/R

DF Axel Tuanzebe --N/A