With an excellent performance at Etihad Stadium, Manchester City outperformed Manchester United to keep control of the Premier League title chase.
City leads Liverpool by six points with one game remaining after a win that was probably even more impressive than the score suggests.
Ralf Rangnick's team was without injured Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani, as well as Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw, who both have Covid-19, and were outclassed by the reigning champions' talent and effort.
Kevin de Bruyne was the driving force behind it all. He put City ahead early on with a neat finish, then restored their advantage just before half-time when Jadon Sancho equalized for United with a low strike, the Belgian's second smashed in in a goalmouth melee.
Manchester City felt Liverpool at their back after Jurgen Klopp's side moved to within three points following their win against West Ham United but the champions could not have responded more impressively.
After the break, City picked up the pace and deservedly scored after 68 minutes when Riyad Mahrez met De Bruyne's corner on the half-volley to past United goalkeeper David de Gea. The goal came as a result of a deflection off United captain Harry Maguire, who had a terrible afternoon.
City's fortunes improved in the final minutes as Mahrez sprinted clear to beat De Gea, the goal being awarded after a lengthy VAR probe for offside.
City forced themselves on Manchester United from the first whistle, and Sancho's wonderful equaliser was merely a minor annoyance as the difference between Guardiola's squad and their arch-rivals was cruelly revealed.
Without De Gea, Riyad Mahrez may have added to his two goals, while Joao Cancelo's spectacular effort was also saved by the United goalkeeper.
City's possession dominance and ability to carve open an admittedly vulnerable United defense at will enthralled their supporters, who reveled in a display of mastery that left United beaten and battered well before the final whistle.
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