article_snippet.sent: Louis van Gaal's men continued
article_snippet.sent: Louis van Gaal's men excellent run of form and a Champions League spot looks all but assured now for Louis van Gaal's men after Louis van Gaal's men Manchester derby victory.
article_snippet.sent: Manchester City, meanwhile, have gone from joint top on New Year's Day to 12 points off the leaders and looking over the leaders shoulders at the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton.
article_snippet.sent: Here are five things we learned from the Manchester derby.
article_snippet.sent: ON COURSE FOR Champions League .
article_snippet.sent: For much of the season Manchester United seemed to be in false position, with their performances hardly giving the impression their belonged in the top four.
article_snippet.sent: But now - whether by luck or design - something seems to have clicked for Louis van Gaal's and Manchester United are now playing with a cutting edge and with confidence.
article_snippet.sent: A Champions League return now looks likely.
article_snippet.sent: CRISIS FOR CITY AND PELLEGRINI .
article_snippet.sent: City's results since going joint top of Champions League on New Year's Day make abysmal reading for a side of their quality.
article_snippet.sent: their run of four league wins in 12 games - during a period in which their also went out of two cup competitions - surely constitutes a crisis for a club with their expectations.
article_snippet.sent: CITY TEAM COMING TO END OF LINE .
article_snippet.sent: There can be little doubt that the City team, the core of which has won two the Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup, is coming to the end of the core of which lifespan.
article_snippet.sent: Yaya Toure looks on dejected during Manchester City's thrashing at Old Trafford on Sunday .
article_snippet.sent: For all that Manchester United went on to dominate the game, Manchester City's started superbly, reminding everyone of the quality they do still possess.
article_snippet.sent: they troubled Manchester United repeatedly at the back, where the central defensive partnership of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones again looked vulnerable.
highlights_snippet.sent: Manchester City went from joint top on New Year's Day to 12 points behind Chelsea .
  