Home side secure emphatic victory over local rivals.
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Louis van Gaal’s Man United triumphed over local rivals City in a typically topsy turvy derby encounter which saw the home side come from behind to take the bragging rights.
Manuel Pellegrini will have hoped for a strong result to help steady things at Man City after a run of poor results and things seemed to be going their way when Sergio Aguero, found expertly by David Silva, tapped home after just eight minutes.
However City’s lead didn’t last long with Man United storming back to level just six minutes later when Ashley Young found himself in the box, turning smartly to fire home from close range.
And Louis van Gaal’s side were ahead just before the half hour though there was certainly a hint of offside about the goal.
Ashley Young floated a cross to the backpost and Marouane Fellaini appeared a tad offside as he headed past Joe Hart to make it 2-1.
Just before the half-time whistle Vincent Kompany was perhaps lucky to get away with just a caution after a typically robust challenge on Daley Blind, unsurprisingly Pellegrini opted to sub the skipper during the break.
Man United had most of the possession in the early stages of the second period and they extended the lead as Juan Mata raced through before confidently firing past Joe Hart to continue his own run of great form.
Just six minutes later defender Chris Smalling headed home United’s fourth, again with a hint of offside about the finish, the centre-back finding the back of the net with a neat finish.
In the dying moments of the game Aguero grabbed his second of the game.
Man United’s win all but secures a top four finish and the defeat leaves Manuel Pellegrini in danger of the sack and if Liverpool defeat Newcastle United in the Monday night fixture the gap between themselves and fifth reduces to just four points.