Your Monday Briefing: Latest United News

Your Monday Briefing is here to provide a round-up of Manchester United’s weekend…

UNITED 1 CITY 2
The 175th Manchester derby disappointingly ended in defeat at Old Trafford, meaning the Reds are now 11 points behind City in the Premier League table. David Silva opened the scoring with an opportunistic finish on 43 minutes and Marcus Rashford equalised in added time in the first half, before Pep Guardiola’s Blues earned a win thanks to another fortunate goal, this time from Nicolas Otamendi.

WE WILL FIGHT TO THE END
Jose Mourinho was aggrieved by referee Michael Oliver’s decision not to award a penalty in the 79th minute, when Ander Herrera was seemingly tripped by Otamendi. The boss felt that was crucial to the defeat and was frustrated, but remained bullish about the title race and clawing back that 11-point gap.

“It is a significant distance,” the manager told the media. “I don't know if we can make up the points difference. I know we can win on Wednesday against Bournemouth. Win, lose or draw, I know we can win on Wednesday and we are going to work and fight for it.”

INJURY FOR ROJO
Marcos Rojo suffered a nasty cut to the head in the first half and temporarily left the pitch to receive treatment, before gallantly returning sporting a thick bandage. The Argentina international made it to the half-time break but was taken off by the manager and replaced by Victor Lindelof at centre-back. It remains to be seen whether he will be fit to face Bournemouth at Old Trafford in midweek.

UNDER-18S DREW WITH LIVERPOOL
Our Academy lads took part in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Liverpool at The Cliff, despite the Under-18 Premier League contest taking place in testing wintry conditions.

D'Mani Mellor opened the scoring and visiting defender Adam Lewis was sent off early on, but the Merseysiders took a surprise lead via goals from Liam Millar and Glen McAuley. Coach Steven Gerrard urged his charges to preserve their lead, until Reds starlet Arnau Puigmal bagged a 94th-minute leveller.

RESERVE FIXTURE POSTPONED
This evening's Under-23s match against Swansea City has, unfortunately, been called off due to the inclement weather conditions that are sweeping the UK. A rearranged date for the fixture is yet to be confirmed by either club.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS IN THE CUP
The first team’s Emirates FA Cup third-round tie against Derby County will be held on Friday 5 January 2018 with kick-off at 20:00 GMT, but the match will not be shown on live TV in the UK.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW TODAY
United will face one of six potential opponents - Bayern Munich, Juventus, Real Madrid, Porto, Sevilla or Shakhtar Donetsk - in today's Champions League round-of-16 draw in Nyon. Mourinho's men cannot face the other group runners-up Chelsea, as a fellow English team, and Basel, of course.

LOAN UPDATE
Andreas Pereira started as Valencia maintained pressure on La Liga leaders Barcelona with a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo, thanks to goals from Simone Zaza and Dani Parejo's late penalty. Our on-loan Brazilian has now registered 15 appearances for the Spanish side.

Sam Johnstone kept a clean sheet in Aston Villa’s 0-0 draw with Millwall, and Tim Fosu-Mensah was also recalled to the starting line-up by Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson for their 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at Selhurst Park. Jermain Defoe scored twice for the Cherries, who visit OT on Wednesday