By Alan Duffy
Manchester City’s dismal run of form continued at Old Trafford on Sunday, with the Premier League title holders well beaten by their local rivals.
The Citizens did start well and took the lead after just eight minutes when Sergio Aguero netted from a David Silva pass.
The hosts were struggling to deal with the Citizens, but on 14 minutes, Ashley Young out-muscled Gael Clichy to get the Red Devils back in the game.
Young then set up Marouane Fellaini to put the home side 2-1 up, although Joe Hart should have dealt better with the bouffanted Belgian’s header.
Manual Pellegrini sent on Eliaquim Mangala for the injured Vincent Kompany at the break, with the Belgian lucky not to see red earlier on for a studs-up challenge on Daley Blind.
However, the Red Devils were dominant now and went 3-1 ahead on 67 minutes, with the in-form Juan Mata firing past Joe Hart.
3-1 then became 4-1 when Chris Smalling nodded home a free-kick from Young as the Citizens’ derby dreams collapsed.
Sergio Aguero did get one back late on, but all in the all Louis Van Gaal’s side were well worth the win.
United are now just a point behind second-placed Arsenal while City, in fourth, are just five points above fifth-placed Southampton. Surely they won’t slide out of the top four altogether by the end of the season?
Highlights…
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Highlights: Footytube
Vine: Marten