Is it Over? Derby Day Defeat for United

Manchester United's title hopes are surely over after slumping to a catastrophic 4-1 defeat by the hands of Manchester rivals Man City at The City Of Manchester Stadium.

An early goal by former Liverpool forward Robbie Fowler shocked United fans just after 3 minutes of play and a late Shaun Wright-Phillips goal rounded off a disastrous week for The Red Devils, with a Jon Macken goal and a Trevor Sinclair goal sandwiched in-between.

Cristiano Ronaldo started despite being theatrically being stretchered off midweek with a thigh strain. Darren Fletcher also made the starting XI for United.

The big derby got off to a high-tempo start with Paul Scholes nearly getting sent-off just after the whilst with a harsh, overdue tackle on City's summer signing Michael Tarnat.

City couldn't have got off to a better start when they took the lead just 3 minutes into play. Frenchman Antione Sibierski flicked on striker Robbie Fowler and he was left free to coolly fire City into an early lead.

The Red Devils nearly equalized seconds after when Paul Scholes' long-ranged piledriver fell into the grasp of Portuguese kid Cristiano Ronaldo, who smashed the post with his good effort.

The Blues took advantage of United's wastefulness and sloppiness to put them 2-0 up after half-hour. Jon Macken picked up a free-ball and turned to fire the ball through Mikael Silvestre's legs and past a hapless Tim Howard.

But Paul Scholes immediately cancelled Macken's goal out after some good link-up play from Ryan Giggs and Ronaldo that set up the ginger-ninja to fire home some hope for the visitors.

United surged forward looking for an undeserved equalizer and suddenly Cristiano Ronaldo's ferocious shot lashed the crossbar.

      Half-time: Manchester City 2 - Manchester United 1

A tactical half-time double substitution saw Claudio Reyna and Steve McManaman make way for Trevor Sinclair and Paul Bosvelt.

United were failing to make chances and City were taking advantage of the wastefulness like in the first 45-minuites and when Trevor Sinclair picked up from Mikael Silvestre's feeble error, he found the net past a wretched Tim Howard. 3-1 City.

Sir Alex Ferguson tried to salvage at least one point and flung on striking duo Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Diego Forlan in replace of Ronaldo and Giggs.

But even they couldn't do anything to help United's misery and Shaun Wright-Phillips added to United's ever growing list for burdens by producing some magic and releasing an unstoppable shot to make it 4-1 in City's favour.

Keep the faith.

      Full time: Manchester City 4 - Manchester United 1
                             Att: 47, 284