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Manchester United goal scorer Juan Mata says the 4-2 derby victory over Manchester City is just 'one more step' towards Champions League qualification.
The Spaniard scored United's third as Louis van Gaal's men exorcised the ghost of their defeat at the Etihad earlier in the campaign.
United are now four points clear of City and nine above Southampton in fifth place as the chances of them securing European football next season continue to get more favourable.
Goals from Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini and Chris Smalling were enough to see off their struggling neighbours despite two Sergio Aguero strikes.
Juan Mata slots in United's third (Getty) Mata said: "In the first 10 or 15 minutes, City were brilliant but after that we showed character and came back. It was a massive result and everyone from United is happy.
Show all 23 1 /23Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings David De Gea Stood his ground smartly when facing Aguero one-on-one early on, setting the tone for another calm performance. 6
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Antonio Valencia With Mata drifting infield he kept the right flank comfortably under control. Always dangerous going forward but it was his defensive covering that impressed today. 7
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Chris Smalling He is still prone to brainless moments, as when he was caught in the middle of the park bringing the ball forward, but his goal capped off another solid display. 6
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Phil Jones Watched City cut his defence apart for the opener but that at least encouraged him to wake up and he became more assured as the game wore on. 5
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Daley Blind United kept attacking down the left because of the danger Blind brought through fine deliveries and a great understanding with Young. 7
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Michael Carrick A solid, composed performance, keeping possession throughout and stepping back to help out in defence. Exactly what Louis van Gaal would have wanted from his vice-captain. 7
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Juan Mata An excellent display of playmaking from wide, he found space for himself and teammates. Capped another fine performance with a well-taken third. 8
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Ander Herrera The Spaniard is quickly becoming the all-round midfielder United have been searching for for a decade. He brought a strong passing range and confident dribbling to United’s victory. 8
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Marouane Fellaini From someone with no clear position in the United side he now seems to take up every one. Poacher, enforcer, target man: He did it all excellently. 9
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Ashley Young He deserved the lucky break for his goal as he put in an excellent performance on the left. His cross for Fellaini’s goal would have made David Beckham proud. 9
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Wayne Rooney For once the captain was peripheral in a Manchester derby, though he was still able to produce an assist for Mata and combine well with Fellaini. 6
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Off the Bench: Marcos Rojo He couldn’t have asked for an easier assignment than 15 minutes against a shell-shocked City. A quiet afternoon for the Argentine. 6
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Joe Hart Should have done much better with two United goals, in particular letting a soft Fellaini header through him. 4
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Vincent Kompany His first booking for diving in on Blind showed a man off pace, it was little wonder he was taken off at half-time. 3
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Pablo Zabaleta Was given a torrid time by Young, so concerned was he that he rarely if ever ventured forward, leaving his side light on attacking promise. 5
Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Martin Demichelis Provided no support for full-backs when Fellaini consistently peeled off to the back post, showed no leadership or organisation after Kompany went off. 4
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Gael Clichy Switched off to allow Young to ghost in for United’s first and didn’t switch back on again after. Too often he left space out wide for Valencia to attack. 4
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Jesus Navas His crosses seemed to be City’s best outlet as United grew in confidence, however he too often left Zabaleta alone to defend the right flank. 5
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Yaya Toure An anonymous presence who did little in either box and was overrun in the middle of the park. His defensive deficiencies are becoming more pronounced in each big match he plays. 4
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Fernandinho Out-skilled and out-thought by Herrera and co, never more so than when a quick change of feet by the Spaniard left the Brazilian on the floor. 5
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings David Silva Another who started brightly, but the manager’s decision to station him out on the left backfired as he was unable to get on the ball and influence the game. 6
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings James Milner Hi reverse-pass to Silva created the first goal but after that he began to make atypical mistakes. Pellegrini was right to replace him with Nasri. 5
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2 player ratings Sergio Aguero Took his early goal smartly but was left without support or creativity behind him. When he was given an opportunity, he took it. 7
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"The atmosphere was crazy, it's something we will never forget. We have six games to go and have to keep going.
"It's one more step towards the Champions League, it's a big win and a boost to the confidence. But Arsenal are a great team and City and Liverpool will stay fighting until the end."
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