Jack Grealish sent Casemiro to Brazil with a filthy piece of skill in the Manchester derby

A spirited second-half performance from United, which featured a superb goal from Antony and a brace from Anthony Martial, ensured the Red Devils left the Etihad with at least a few positives to draw on from an afternoon to forget.

City looked supremely confident throughout the match but particularly in the first half, when they scored four unanswered goals to kill the game.

After the break, United manager Erik ten Hag made a number of substitutes in an effort to stop the City onslaught.

Brazil international Casemiro was one of those to be introduced in the second period but the former Real Madrid man also found things difficult.

At one point, he was left red-faced by Jack Grealish as City threatened to run riot.

After collecting the ball just outside the area on the left wing, Grealish pushed into the box.

He then tempted Casemiro into a rash sliding challenge, dragging the ball back before the Brazilian could connect.

Retaining possession, Grealish then headed towards the byline, with Casemiro still sprawled on the turf.

While Haaland and Foden understandably grabbed the headlines with their hat-tricks, Pep Guardiola was quick to praise Grealish – as well as Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan – after the win, which moved City back to within one point of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

"Look at Jack Grealish today, how good he played," said Guardiola.

"Kevin, and Gundogan - come back in his position as holding midfielder that he started years ago.

"They're humble and they follow us, said 'okay let's try to go and do it again after four or five years of success'.

"I'm very pleased. It's not about winning or losing, of course we want to win all the time. The way in the two or three days how they train, how they focus. It's good."

City next face FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday, while United take on Cypriot side Omonia on Thursday.