United stop rot in Manchester derby with emphatic win over City

Ashley Young starred in the Manchester derby, as United moved clear of Premier League champions City in third place with a dominant 4-2 win at Old Trafford.

A goal and two assists from ex-England winger Young helped the Red Devils turn things around on their neighbours. City had won four derbies on the spin and led early on through Sergio Aguero with their hosts making the worst possible start at Old Trafford.

Manuel Pellegrini saw the Citizens’ lead last just six minutes, however, as a defensive horror show from his charges ensued. Young netted a scrappy equaliser when Gael Clichy failed to cut out an Ander Herrera cross.

United completed the comeback before half an hour with Marouane Fellaini heading home a Young cross, following good work by Daley Blind up from left back, and surviving a hint of offside.

City skipper Vincent Kompany was fortunate to escape an early bath for a stud-showing lunge on Blind’s shin, but referee Mark Clatenburg showed clemency and just cautioned the Belgium centre back.

Pellegrini withdrew Kompany at half-time, but expensive replacement Eliaquim Mangala fared little better. With a quarter of the game to go, United extended their lead when Red Devils captain Wayne Rooney fed Juan Mata on the turn.

Martin Demichelis, who will draw criticism for getting up after Clattenburg stopped the game for a head injury when Fellaini clashed with the Argentine, was caught way out of position here. Mata ran into the vacated space, surviving offside appeals and firing through the exposed Joe Hart.

Chris Smalling, at fault for Aguero’s opener and villain in the reverse fixture for his sending off at the Eithad, redeemed himself by sealing victory with 17 minutes to go. He nodded in Young’s free-kick, popping up between Demichelis and Mangala.

There was still time for Pellegrini’s men to net a late consolation when Aguero swept home fellow Argentina international Pablo Zabaleta’s cutback.