Rashford spectacularly opened the scoring with his sixth career goal against City, firing a first-touch effort past Ederson from range to stun the hosts.
But Pep Guardiola’s side’s class prevailed in the second half as Phil Foden’s brace and Erling Haaland’s late finish completed a Premier League derby double.
Foden’s 56th-minute equaliser didn’t come without controversy, though. Ten Hag was booked for a furious reaction after Rashford believed Kyle Walker fouled him on the break moments before the goal at the other end.
After full-time, Ten Hag, while admitting it would’ve been a soft foul, doubled down on his frustrations.
“No, let’s say this. It was very debatable. I think there was contact, and it was a defining moment in the game,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports.
“It was soft, but when you are in a full sprint and you get a little touch, you lose the rhythm. And that’s why he [Rashford] went down.”
He later added in his press conference: “I will not say it was a tackle from Walker. They ran, and Rashy confirmed to me there was contact.
“I saw it back. It was very soft. When you are on a full-speed run and get a touch, you are out of control, and I think that happened.”
Ten Hag also focused attention towards a challenge from Ederson on Alejandro Garnacho as the Argentine teenager chased a through ball.
Ederson slid in for a strong challenge with his feet, and the Dutchman believes it was a “reckless” tackle that, again, led to a City goal.
