Moyes goes for the hair dryer

David Moyes admitted he had to read the riot act to his Manchester United players for the first time after their embarrassing derby display against Manchester City.

The United boss was angered by his side’s below-par performance as Sergio Aguero scored twice either side of the break alongside goals from Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri to ensure Wayne Rooney’s late free-kick for the visitors was only a consolation.

After wins over Swansea and Crystal Palace, a draw at home to Chelsea and defeats to Liverpool and City, United are now five points off the top of the Premier League with seven points — their worst start since 2004/05.

Moyes revealed there was a rollicking in the dressing room afterwards that his predecessor Alex Ferguson was famed for and he is expecting a reaction.

He said: “I’ve made them aware that there needs to be a reaction. If ever there was a group of players I’d expect that from it would be a group of Manchester United players.

“I think the way they have been brought up, the way they have been bred with the manager previously, they react, that’s what they do, and that’s what we’ll do here. We’ll make sure we react.

“I just told the players it the way I would have told players at any other club if I don’t think they’re doing it.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes the victory over their bitter rivals has given them a psychological advantage in the race for the title.

The Chilean said: “Always winning against Manchester United is very important.

“For the team it gives a lot of trust and a lot of confidence and winning an important derby in the way we win today will give us a lot of confidence for the title race.”