Wednesday 3 February 2016 11:53, UK
While Monday was all about Manchester City's bright future, on Tuesday Manchester United delivered a timely reminder to their 'noisy neighbours' that they aren't going away any time soon.
The confirmation that Pep Guardiola - widely considered the best coach in the world - will take charge at the Etihad this summer was seen as a major blow to United on deadline day.
The most exciting transfer news in Manchester on the final day of the winter window had City fans dreaming and United fans fretting.
On the field, United's two wins from their past 10 Premier League games, their lowest goal-haul in 27 years and the continued uncertainty around Louis van Gaal's future offered little suggestion a ray of hope would arrive with the visit of Mark Hughes' Stoke.
Yet, 24 hours on from Man City's big moment, the United players seemed inspired into a response.
United have been such slow starters this season but from the first whistle they had Stoke's injury-hit defence on the back foot.
It took Anthony Martial just three minutes to take on and beat Glen Johnson - it wouldn't be the last time the impressive Frenchman got the better of his marker. Three minutes later Wayne Rooney had tested Jack Butland with a curling shot before Martial teed up Juan Mata for a miscued effort in the box.
The pressure told. A whipped low cross from birthday boy Cameron Borthwick-Jackson was met by a diving header from Jesse Lingard. It was United's first first-half goal at Old Trafford in 12 matches. The home support showed their appreciation.
More magic from Martial took him past Johnson once more before he thrashed a shot into the side netting. He wasn't to be denied on 22 minutes, though, curling a superb strike into the top corner after smart build-up play from Rooney and Mata.
Old Trafford was rocking - this was more like the football the United fans crave.
Mata passed up a headed opportunity and Rooney was unfortunate to see a goal ruled out for a shove on Johnson before the United skipper tucked in a Martial cross to complete the scoring early in the second half. From there on the hosts controlled the remainder of the match.
United created more chances from open play (15) against Stoke than they have in any of their other 23 Premier League fixtures this season. Van Gaal was suitably satisfied.
"It was a great performance," he said. "In the first half we created attacks, fantastic goals. We created more chances above that. In the second half we controlled the game and we scored the third goal. It was a very good game, I think.
"I hope it gives us a lot of motivation to continue."
Tottenham's win at Norwich means United remain five points adrift of a Champions League qualifying spot and with a trip to in-form Chelsea on Super Sunday next up, Van Gaal's side still have plenty of work to do to ensure they are playing in Europe's elite club competition in 2016/17.
City fans will also be quick to point out that - even without Guardiola in charge - they remain seven clear of their rivals after their win at Sunderland.
But at Old Trafford on Tuesday, United delivered a response to both their critics and their neighbours with a stylish victory.
Watch Chelsea v Man Utd live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 3.30pm on Sunday, or watch without a contract on NOW TV
