Old Trafford roars with Marouane
Fellaini after the influential Belgian gave the Red Devils an advantage
they never looked like relinquishing
Fellaini leaps to meet
man-of-the-match Ashley Young's superb cross with a thumping header to
send Old Trafford into a state of euphoria
City's defence was caught flatfooted
and Joe Hart could only watch as Fellaini's header flew into the net on a
great day for the hosts
Juan Mata was released by Wayne Rooney and the Spaniard ran through to shoot between Hart's legs to extend the host's advantage
Mata once again showed his value to the side and pointed the way with a display full of energy, poise and intelligence
Chris Smalling showed his hunger to
beat a lethargic City defence to Young's free-kick to add a fourth to
give the score more gloss
All of United's outfield players
congratulate Smalling after his close-range header ensured the red side
of Manchester has bragging rights
Young latches on to a loose ball which bounced off Gael Clichy and fires past the despairing dive of Hart to level matters
Wayne Rooney
cannons the ball into the net in celebration to release a shower of
water as Juan Mata and Young charge to the sidelines
Sergio Aguero finishes off a surgical
move for the opener, tapping David Silva's cross into the empty net to
give the visitors hope
The United defence looked at sixes and sevens as David de Gea fumes after conceding an early goal to their City rivals
Manuel Pellegrini shifts uncomfortably
in his seat during a torrid afternoon for his rudderless side, who are
now six points behind United
Yaya Toure, who was anonymous all afternoon, trudges towards the centre circle after City concede another goal to the Red Devils
Many felt Vincent Kompany was
fortunate to escape with just a booking after this challenge on Daley
Blind just before the half-time whistle
The Dutchman flew into the air after
Kompany's stud high tackle just before the break and many felt he was
lucky to just receive a booking
Wayne Rooney leaps onto Fellaini's
back after United take the lead through the big Belgian, who has had an
excellent renaissance recently
Ander Herrera skips inside fellow
countryman David Silva during another decent showing from the Spaniard,
who pulled the strings
Aguero finished off an incisive City move which cut through United's defence in an impressive opening spell
United went back to basics for the leveller, with Young pouncing after Herrera's cross hit Gael Clichy
United exploited City's right wing for their second too, with Young and Daley Blind combining to great effect
Intelligent play from Rooney set up the third, with Mata darting through and coolly slotting home
Smalling rose unmarked to head Young's free-kick beyond Hart to make it 4-1 for rampant United
Sir Alex Ferguson returned to his old stomping ground to see his former charges beat the 'noisy neighbours'
Roy Hodgson shares a joke before kick-off and will have been pleased with several performances
