Alex Ferguson’s reaction to Manchester City goal sums up United’s first-half misery

A picture tells a thousand words.

Manchester City made light work of their arch-rivals Manchester United in the opening 45 minutes at the Etihad Stadium, with Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan firing the champions-elect into a two-goal lead at half-time. It could have been much worse for United, too, with Raheem Sterling spurning more than one presentable scoring opportunities as the away side's defence struggled to contain their rampant hosts. After Kompany towered above everyone to thump home the opening header, United's misery deepened when Gundogan twirled around their Nemanja Matic and struck the second. It was a half hour of football that aptly summed up the vast gulf which currently exists between the red and blue sides of Manchester. It was a worrying reflection of United's inferiority to their formerly noisy neighbours and perhaps the mood was best summed up by Alex Ferguson. The legendary manager, sitting in the crowd, didn't look best pleased with what he was witnessing. You can tell Ferguson must have been absolutely seething inside. Although City eventually usurped his United side towards the end of his 27-year tenure at Old Trafford, the Scot became accustomed with finishing higher in the table. The ease with which City tore through United time and time again during the opening 45 minutes was simply not acceptable and one can only wonder if Fergie was visualising giving this current crop the hairdryer treatment. Judging by their performance, it's exactly what they need.