Manchester United moved to within two points of ‘noisy’ neighbours City with a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney produced the perfect response to the morning’s tabloid stories, scoring a brilliant goal then celebrating by shadow-boxing and falling backwards to the turf.
Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick, who were both outstanding, scored the other goals as United did all the damage in the first half.
Despite the negativity surrounding Monday’s 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup, United now find themselves within touching distance of second place and only eight points off leaders Chelsea.
United produced their paciest, most fluent football of the season, aided by a timid and chaotic Tottenham performance. Spurs were very lacklustre and struggled to get Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane involved in the game. They failed to register a single shot in the first half.
Spurs drop to seventh on goal difference after Southampton claimed a 1-1 draw away to Chelsea.