Manchester derbies always matter. It may be from Manchester City’s point of view that this defeat meant little other than hastening the moment at which Liverpool wins the title, but for Manchester United doing the league double over its closest rivals will have been sweet and will strengthen the sense that something, at last, is stirring at Old Trafford.
A 2–0 win, achieved through Anthony Martial’s goal on the half hour and Scott McTominay’s remarkable second in injury-time, gives United local honors, means that the gap between City and Liverpool is 25 points—if City loses its next two games, against Arsenal and Burnley, Liverpool will win the title before it even plays again—and, perhaps most significantly, elevates United to fifth, to within three points of Chelsea in fourth.