Man United endured a derby day to forget as they suffered a 6-1 thumping at the hands of Man City at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Balotelli sets derby showdown alight as United collapse
Manchester United endured a derby day to forget as they suffered a 6-1 thumping at the hands of local rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Hours after finding himself the subject of more headlines after a fire at his home, controversial striker Mario Balotelli inspired the thrashing with an impressive brace.
But it was Jonny Evans' sending off in the 47th minute which really marked the start of a downward spiral for the hosts.
Sergio Aguero grabbed the third for City before super substitute Edin Dzeko fired home two either side of a strike from David Silva as Sir Alex Ferguson's men completely unravelled in stoppage time.
United had claimed a consolation with a fine goal from Darren Fletcher 10 minutes from time but they were put to the sword in the dying moments.
City's emphatic win keeps them sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League and gives them a five-point cushion over reigning champions United, whose defeat marked their first at home in 19 league games.
Return
Balotelli had returned to the side after suspension in midweek as one of six changes.
United showed similar rotation from their UEFA Champions League win over Otelul Galati with fit-again defender Rio Ferdinand among those to come in while Phil Jones and Nemanja Vidic dropped out.
It was the hosts who made the early running with Ashley Young twice testing Micah Richards down the left, winning a free-kick and a corner.
United threatened again when Young bent in another free-kick but Balotelli was back to head clear.
Wayne Rooney went down in the box under a challenge from Vincent Kompany but referee Mark Clattenburg saw nothing untoward.
Despite their quieter start, it was City who took the lead after 22 minutes through Balotelli.
Silva fed Milner and the midfielder pulled the ball back for Balotelli to place a low, first-time shot beyond the reach of David De Gea from 18 yards, finding the right corner.
He marked the goal with self-deprecating humour by lifting his shirt to reveal a T-shirt saying, "Why Always Me?".
United responded but Anderson and Rooney both shot straight at Joe Hart.
United had another good chance when Rooney pulled the ball back from a Young cross but Evans badly miskicked.
Vincent Kompany was booked for bringing down Danny Welbeck as United tried to launch another counter-attack but City held firm until the break.
United's problems then increased considerably as Evans was sent off within two minutes of the restart for denying Balotelli a goalscoring opportunity.
Balotelli stayed on his feet until crossing the 18-yard line as Evans pulled back his arm but Clattenburg awarded a free-kick outside the area and then showed the defender the red card.
United survived the resulting set-piece and breathed again shortly afterwards when Clattenburg gave nothing after Richards collided with Anderson and appealed for a penalty.
Another chance came as Balotelli picked out Aguero with a deep cross but the Argentinian failed to connect with a volley and Richards missed the target.
Young went close as United countered but his mishit first shot rebounded off Milner and he was rushed into guiding a second attempt wide.
United applied more pressure with Rooney shooting at Hart again but City made their numerical superiority count with a well-worked second goal for
