Aguero back to haunt United

Manchester United 1 Manchester City 2

The Argentinian forward came off the bench to race clear with 12 minutes to go to hand City three points that closes the gap at the summit of the Premier League to 12 points after Vincent Kompany’s unfortunate own goal had cancelled out James Milner’s opener.

The margin between the two sides may be too great with seven games to go, but City will enjoy this as United put in yet another drab display as their hangover from their controversial Champions League exit to Real Madrid continues.

United have not performed since that game when Nani’s red card turned it on its head, and they will stumble to their 20th title, it seems, rather than break records as manager Alex Ferguson called for.

The gap will give them comfort however, as it was almost 12 months ago when these two sides met at a similar point in the season. That time United were dropping points and had allowed their bitter rivals back into the title race and a victory at the Etihad Stadium for City moved them into pole position for the crown they eventually one. However, this year there is no race for the title, it is a procession as United edge to a 20th English league title and a comeback is unlikely even by City’s dramatic standards.

Despite United’s dominance domestically, boss Ferguson claimed in his pre-match programme notes that “there is nothing anti-climatic about this derby — it’s a trial of strength”.

And it was hard to argue as a loud welcome awaited the players when they came out at Old Trafford, a ground where United have recently appointed an acoustics expert to improve the noise levels.

The frantic start to the game certainly mirrored the atmosphere. United, who rarely attacked at the Etihad this time last year, were on the front foot from the off with Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie and Danny Welbeck combining well.

But as the game progressed, United regressed and sat back into their own half allowing City to come at them.

This was by no means the ruthless City that hammered United 6-1 at Old Trafford last season, but they were able to cut a United defence open.

Without Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling, Phil Jones partnered Rio Ferdinand at the back and it was the former Blackburn man who denied Carlos Tevez as the Argentinian tried to reach a David Silva cross.

Mancini claims that the gap between the two sides does not mirror their respective squad strengths and on the first-half evidence it was hard to argue against the Italian. Samir Nasri should have done better with a chance inside the area but he snatched at it.

United still looked dangerous on the counter-attack but Ashley Young showed the lack of composure he has displayed this season with a failed cross when Van Persie and Rooney awaited in the area.

A fluke attempt from Rafael struck the bar before the break and would have given United an unjust lead and City were denied an attempt to score when ref Mike Dean blew for half-time as they put a ball into the area.

City deserved their opener after the break, though. City capitalised on a Ryan Giggs error and James Milner’s deflected effort put them ahead.

United’s lack of quality in the final third was hurting them. They needed a fair slice of luck to get back into the game and Jones can count himself fortunate Kompany’s back diverted his header home as it was almost a clearance from the United man after Van Persie had caught out Joe Hart with an inswinging free-kick.

Mancini was not impressed with his defence and after seeing his side waste a couple of chances, Aguero, who was deemed not fit enough to start, was called into the fray with 19 minutes left.

The forward showed no signs of a lack of fitness as he raced by United’s defence following Yaya Toure’s ball. His finish found the roof of the net, De Gea was beaten at his near post but it would have been harsh to blame the Spaniard.

The win may be too late to spark a real title race revival but City and their fans will enjoy putting a downer on United’s run-in which continues to stutter in the wake of that Champions League defeat that has also included an FA Cup exit to Chelsea.