Manchester United have claimed bragging rights over rivals Manchester City thanks to a comprehensive 4-2 win in this afternoon's Premier League derby at Old Trafford.
The visitors were quickest off the starting blocks as Jesus Navas broke the offside trap in the fifth minute before powering into the box and forcing a smart save from David de Gea.
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City were in front just three minutes later when David Silva lashed a cross into the box from the left flank, where Sergio Aguero was on hand to prod home from inside the goalmouth.
It didn't take long for the Red Devils to pull themselves level, however, as barely six minutes had elapsed when Ander Herrera's cross hit Gael Clichy on the back before dropping for Ashley Young, who swivelled sharply to fire into the open net.
City's defensive frailties were exposed once again just before the half-hour mark when Young's cross into the box fell to Marouane Fellaini, who duly headed home to send the Old Trafford faithful wild.
The visitors set about trying to get themselves back in the game, with James Milner making a nuisance of himself in the 31st minute and winning a corner that Martin Demichelis headed wide.
There was a moment of anxiety for City on the stroke of half time when Vincent Kompany recklessly lunged into Daley Blind, but referee Mark Clattenburg awarded him a yellow card.
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Manuel Pellegrini opted to take his captain off at the break, replacing him with Eliaquim Mangala, but it did little against a now rampant United front line.
Just seven minutes after the restart, Wayne Rooney's free kick was clawed out by Joe Hart before Michael Carrick also saw an effort saved moments later.
The hosts continued to push forward and were rewarded in the 67th minute when Rooney freed Juan Mata, who bore down on goal before slotting his effort through Hart's legs and into the net.
It would get even better for the Red Devils as just a few minutes later, Rooney's free kick from the left fell to Chris Smalling, who was left free to head home.
City were in danger of conceding more as their rivals were dominant in every aspect, but they managed to weather the storm and nabbed a second goal a minute from time through Aguero, who hardly celebrated.
The result sees third-placed United establish a four-point lead over their city rivals, who sit fourth and are all but out of the title race.
Giuseppe Labellarte
