Aguero leads City to derby rout of United

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero (2nd L) celebrates scoring with teammates against Manchester United during their English Premier League soccer match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England, Sept 22, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

While that was a freakish result - City played against 10 men for almost the entire second half and scored three times in second-half stoppage time - this was fully deserved and even more conclusive.

The only consolation to the visitors was that they didn't concede any more.

"We found it difficult to contain them," Moyes said.

The absence of Van Persie was a major setback for United, as the Dutchman had linked up smoothly with a revitalized Rooney so far this season.

Rooney missed his strike partner and had a frustrating match, smashing a ball into the side of the prone Aguero after giving away an early free kick and then picking up a booking later in the first half for hacking at Vincent Kompany's legs. His late goal, great as it was, will largely be forgotten.

That exasperation had built up because of City's sheer dominance all over the pitch, particularly in midfield where Toure, Fernandinho and Nasri had total control. Center forward Alvaro Negredo lived up to his nickname of "The Beast", roughing up United's bedraggled backline and freeing space for Aguero to cause damage.

"It's really special to win because we sent a big statement to our rivals that Manchester City is going to be a force," Nasri said.

The France playmaker set up the first goal with a deft flick into the path of Aleksandr Kolarov, who fired over a cross that Aguero hooked in spectacularly.

It took sluggish United 42 minutes to have its first shot - Antonio Valencia dragging wide - and the visitors were further behind at the break when Negredo headed down Nasri's corner to the feet of Toure, who bundled the ball in from close range in injury time.

It was the best City had played all season, outstripping its display in the opening-weekend 4-0 win over Newcastle simply because of the quality of opposition they were facing and reminiscent of the displays they produced most weeks in their title-winning 2011-12 campaign.

And when Aguero volleyed in from inside the six-yard box after good work by Negredo, a repeat of the hiding City gave United two years ago looked on.

That didn't prove to be the case but United's players couldn't get off the pitch quicker at full time.