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Manchester United recorded their sixth successive Premier League win and moved four points clear in third place thanks to a thrilling 4-2 win in the Manchester derby. Sergio Aguero opened and concluded the scoring at Old Trafford, but the home side scored four in between and ended City’s four-game winning run in the derby. Ashley Young got United back on level terms soon after Aguero scored and Marouane Fellaini’s header ensured that Louis van Gaal’s side went into the break with a one-goal lead.Juan Mata made it 3-1 just after the hour mark before Chris Smalling provided the icing on the cake with a brilliant header from a free-kick just minutes later. Although Aguero scored with a few minutes to go and Michael Carrick had to go off with injury, United managed to come through unscathed and are now just a point behind second-placed Arsenal.Here are the major talking points from the game.
#1 United reclaim bragging rights in Manchester
No team had beaten Manchester United in five consecutive Premier League games. But City came to Old Trafford hoping to inflict further derby misery and halt their progress up the table. After a fast start, which resulted in an early goal for the visitors, the writing seemed to be on the wall for United. But instead of looking forlorn and defeated, the Red Devils showed that they were up for the battle.
They challenged for every ball and made the home crowd work in their favour. They won the midfield battle and their recent form has seen them go from being outsiders for a top four finish to challenging for second place. Although the task doesn't get any easier with Chelsea next week, they will take plenty of positives from their best derby performance in recent memory.
#2 United answer all questions
Despite five successive wins, United knew that a loss here would undo all the good work they had done hitherto. On a day when they went a goal down early in the game, the home side showed plenty of resilience in coming back into the match.
Van Gaal got his tactics spot on, as he managed to get the most out of not only Fellaini, but also Young – two players who were heavily criticised under the previous regime. United had more pace, more energy and more willingness to get to the ball, whether they were down 1-0 or up 4-1. Simply put, they looked as though they had more hunger and not only outplayed City, but also out-thought them, in terms of the way they approached the game.
Irrespective of what City threw at them, the hosts had an answer and that might prove to be a watershed moment in the Van Gaal era.
#3 Michaedl Carrick sets the tempo in demolition derby
There are only two ways to beat an opposing player. One is to dribble past him and the other is to pass it beyond him. On Sunday, Michael Carrick took the latter option as he controlled the tempo for the home side.
Often maligned for his lack of goals and aggression, he gave a perfect demonstration of just what he is good at. Whether it was taking up defensive positions astutely when his side were short at the back or simply keeping the game flowing by receiving and moving the ball, the Englishman set the tone for his side. What made his performance even more amazing was that it came in a derby which was a frenetic and was, at times, being played at a ridiculously high pace.
Yet, when the 33-year-old was on the ball, he looked to have all the time in the world. After limping off towards the end of the game, United fans will be hoping that it is nothing serious and that he will be available for the game against Chelsea next Saturday.
#4 Sergio Aguero is City\'s sole shining light
For the first time in the last three years, City were beaten in all departments in the derby. But despite that, they managed to stay in the game until the final quarter of the game. Much of that was thanks to Sergio Aguero. In the end, the visitors have the Argentinean to thank for leaving Old Trafford with a better goal difference than their rivals.
His brace also took him to a century of goals for the club, making him the fastest player to achieve that landmark. But Sunday was one occasion when even the striker's brilliance wasn't enough as City were carrying too many passengers in the side.
Yaya Toure, in particular, had an appalling game defensively, but the problem for the visitors was that he wasn't alone in that regard and that made all the difference.
#5 Manchester City are at a crossroad
Four successive away defeats and just five wins from their last 14 league games means that City have gone from being level on points and goals scored with Chelsea at the top of the table to facing a battle to finish in a Champions League place. City find themselves unable to retain the title yet again and are coming to a crossroads at the end of the season.
A number of the players that brought them success over the last few years are on their last legs and the squad is in need of serious overhaul. Financial Fair Play regulations mean that it isn’t as easy as it may seem.
They are also in a delicate situation as far as the manager is concerned. Although Manuel Pellegrini's results aren't great, the lack of a better alternative means that he might just stay in the job for another season unless something dramatic happens. City's boardroom have plenty of decisions to make in the summer.
