Manchester United delivered a potentially fatal blow to Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes on Saturday after leaders Liverpool secured the Christmas No 1 spot with victory against Bournemouth.
Defending champions City came into the match at the Etihad Stadium knowing they had to win after Jurgen Klopp’s men coasted to a 3-0 victory on England’s south coast but they succumbed to United’s lightning-quick attacks, losing 2-1.
City’s fourth league defeat of the season leaves them 14 points behind Liverpool, who have won 15 of their 16 league games. No side has ever gone on to win the title after being as many points behind the top side at the end of a day.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the Manchester derby:
A picture for every Manchester United fan. Even Sir Alex Ferguson can't believe it. Solskjaer masterclass at the Etihad. 😎 pic.twitter.com/domio6J4tZ
— FutbolBible (@FutbolBible) December 7, 2019
A huge four days for Solskjær. Took on both Mourinho and Guardiola and beat them both. He’s back from the brink and proving he can be a Manchester United manager. These players want to play for him. #MUFC
— Sam Pilger (@sampilger) December 7, 2019
Manchester Derby win....1st half was the blueprint for this team.
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) December 7, 2019
Devastating on the turnover of possession.
A game plan with desire and intensity.
Ole’s......@ManUtd #ManchesterDerby
Manchester is ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Erog7QdmPk
Manchester United is one of the weirdest team you could ever think of supporting. They find winning Big teams easy but you see those small teams like Aston Villa, Westbrom and the likes?! We remain kids to them #MCIMUN
— BrezzIsLife (@jayythedope) December 7, 2019
2 - Manchester United are the first side to be 2-0 up before the half hour mark of a Premier League game away at Manchester City since Liverpool in November 2015. Shocked. pic.twitter.com/ffaGOTsRbK
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 7, 2019
Manchester is Red 💪🏾🔴🔴🔴🔴 pic.twitter.com/W4BxT3kq0O
— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) December 7, 2019
MANCHESTER IS RED 🔴🕸 #AWB #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Uve9CKQiTC
— Aaron Wan-Bissaka (@awbissaka) December 7, 2019
Can’t beat a derby win. Stood up to EVERYTHING thrown at us & got what we deserved.
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) December 7, 2019
Manchester = 🔴 pic.twitter.com/al5nnmkCd3
Manchester will always be red!!!!
— Sam Billings (@sambillings) December 7, 2019
Manchester is red 🔴🔴🔴
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) December 7, 2019
Thrilling Manchester derby. Well played all....and that includes VAR. if only Michael Oliver could do all the games, it would work brilliantly.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 7, 2019
Aaron wan-Bissaka was absolutely sensational today against Manchester City: a world-class defender #MUFC
— Sam Pilger (@sampilger) December 7, 2019
Fred’s excess energy won’t be wasted. It’ll be siphoned into the national grid to power celebrations in Manchester this evening.
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) December 7, 2019
Manchester United have won back to back games for the first time since February, they come against Mourinho's Spurs and Pep's City. This club is extremely strange.
— Ali. (@UtdAlii) December 7, 2019
Bernd Leno next game against Manchester City after their defeat to Man Utd when they try to break Leicester’s record win: pic.twitter.com/qW6PDWnlGR
— Aubazettes (@Aubazettes) December 7, 2019
Manchester City are struggling to get #PepOut trending! Not enough fans 🤣
— Chris (@LocoBurritoMan) December 7, 2019
Crap move that by Manchester City fans. Pelting Fred at a corner is going to help no one. Terrible, terrible look
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) December 7, 2019