Manchester United’s top 3 games of 2016

Manchester City 0-1 Manchester United (March 20)

United had just been knocked out of the Europa League by Liverpool when they travelled across Manchester to face neighbours City, but they soon put that defeat behind them by clinching all three points at the Etihad Stadium.

And it was Rashford who once again was the man for the big occasion.

The 18-year-old brilliantly left Martin Demichelis for dead before calmly slotting past the onrushing Joe Hart to give van Gaal’s men a 16th minute lead.

City were far from their best but United defended resolutely when needed, and in Rashford they always carried a goal-threat, and perhaps should have had a penalty when the Englishman was brought down by the hopeless Demichelis.

It was a great and significant win for United, who at the time closed the gap on the top four to just one point after another fine away victory.