Manchester United restored local pride on Sunday with a convincing 4-2 victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford.
City have had the better of the big derbies in recent years, with an aggeragate score last season of 7-1 over both league matches.
Add to that the famous 6-1 at Old Trafford and the 1-0 win to put them in pole position for the title in 2012, and you could argue it has been a fixture that has very much belonged to the blue side of Manchester in recent years.
However, Manchester United turned that around in emphtic fashion yesterday, and all but confirmed their place in the top four – whilst also keeping themselves within touching distance of league leaders Chelsea.
It is Jose Mourinho’s men next up or United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, where a win would get fans believing that anything yet remains possible this season.
Here we have identified five reasons why yesterday’s win was such a comfortable one for Louis van Gaal’s side.
[ffc-gallery]
Click on the Old Trafford scoreboard to reveal 5 reasons why Manchester United beat City so comfortably
[/ffc-gallery]
City are in freefall
Manchester United were excellent yesterday first and foremost, but it was another painfully below par performance from Manchester City – despite making an excellent start.
Having taken the lead through Sergio Aguero in eight minutes, nobody would have predicted Manuel Pellegrini’s men would find themselves 4-1 down later on in the match.
But City’s workrate and desire in recent weeks has been poor, and this is very much a team coming to the end of it’s time together.
Whilst United deserve credit, some of the City player’s attitude in the second half especially in terms of chasing back and fighting for the cause was shameful.
Fellaini continues to cause havoc
The idea of the Belgian being substituted in a Manchester derby at Old Trafford to a standing ovation was unimaginable 12 months ago.
But Maraoune Fellaini has turned his Manchester United career around, and has been a key player in their recent run of six consecutive Premier League victories.
The former Everton man has thrived playing a run of games in his favoured position of attacking midfield, and has caused Tottenham, Liverpool and now Manchester City all manner of problems with his physical presence.
He was a constant thorn in the City side yesterday, and popped up with the vital second goal before half time – his fifth Premier League strike of the season.
Another dominant display from Carrick
Quite simply Manchester United are a different side with Michael Carrick in the middle of the park.
It is no coincidence the Red Devil’s have seen their best run of the season coincide with the England international’s return to fitness.
Carrick allows the likes of Ander Herrera and Maraoune Fellaini to express themselves going forward, whilst his influence on a defence that has often looked shaky this season cannot be underestimated.
He hobbled off injured with seven minutes remaining yesterday however, and everyone connected with the club will be praying it is nothing too serious given the run of form he is in at present.
Ashley Young has remembered how to play football
Like Fellaini, Ashley Young’s Manchester United career looked pretty much dead in the water.
More known for his diving than anything else, the former Villa man was facing a fight to remain at Old Trafford for the forseeable future, but yesterday’s performance against such bitter rivals will have certainly help his cause.
Young has been a player reborn under Louis van Gaal this term, and it was his man of the match display yesterday that was the biggest contribution to United picking up a crucial three points.
Young fired the crucial equaliser in the first half at a time in which City were the better side, and then went on to provide two more assists as United went on to run riot.
Credit must go to the England man for the way in which he has turned things around, as well as Louis van Gaal who appears to have restored confidence to a man who looked a pale shadow of the winger who used to run riot week in week out whilst at Aston Villa.
The fans have found their voices again
United fans were often left watching in stunned silence last season, as David Moyes and his side fell to shock home defeat after shock home defeat.
There have been points during this season where the crowd has almost been sent to sleep also, with van Gaal’s men struggling to reproduce that exciting brand of attacking football United are so famous for.
But with six wins on the spin, Old Trafford has found it’s voice again – with yesterday the loudest it has been for the best part of two years.
With confidence flowing and the supporters making Old Trafford a fortress again, United will feel anything can happen going forward.
