United postpone title celebration by City with 3-2 win

That goal was the first Mourinho´s men had scored away from home against top-five opposition in the Premier League all season. The countdown to the coronation stood at 45 minutes.

“I hope today he became a Man United player”, Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry said of Pogba after the match.

‘They’ve got more points than others and have more wins than the others’.

By scoring two goals in the space of two minutes, Pogba sparked United’s revival from 2-0 down in an extraordinary 3-2 victory over City at Etihad Stadium.

A City side that has lost just once in the league will seal the title earlier than any side in Premier League history unless Jose Mourinho’s side can throw a spanner in the works at the Etihad Stadium. Against United? All the fans would be dead.

This was a game which summed up the good and bad of Pogba in the space of 90 roller-coaster minutes.

“Contratulations to United. Now we will try, if we are fearless enough, to stand up again and focus on Tuesday”, said City manager Pep Guardiola.

Here are the biggest winners and losers from the game.

In his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s game against Manchester United, Pep Guardiola claimed that Paul Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, invited him to make an offer for the Frenchman. “Essential to all 3 of our goals”, another person said. Within two minutes, United was level. And United’s third from Chris Smalling was greeted with disbelief, probably even from the visiting fans.

“I don’t think so”, he said.

City were left justifiably aggrieved after Ashley Young flew in on Sergio Aguero in the penalty area, but no spot-kick was given. In the 22nd minute Bernardo Silva went close after being played in by Raheem Sterling, though he was denied by the foot of David de Gea.

Mourinho insisted that his primary objective was not to spoil his rival’s title celebrations but to record three important points towards securing a Champions League place for next season.

However, City’s chances of landing a first ever Champions League crown were likely dealt a fatal blow when they conceded three times in 19 minutes first-half minutes to a rampant Liverpool at Anfield in the first leg last week.

It was a brilliant finish, but there will still be debate as to whether his days at the club are numbered.

Premier League titles should never be won with an air of anti-climax.

“They found their game and their actions”.

But there must be serious concerns that the return of the former fragility in defence threatens their attempt at a comeback. “To lose against City and to see them celebrate, I couldn’t let that happen”, he said.

This would have been the flawless moment. “United are in second, and they showed why”.