ERLING HAALAND has smashed a Premier League record, after bagging three home hat-tricks in a row.
Phil Foden has also landed a treble, with his goals coming after United’s defence was caught dozing.
Premier League top scorer Haaland has become the first top flight player to score consecutive hat-tricks at home.
Antony and Anthony Martial have scored for United, who may have avoided a repeat of their 6-1 humiliation in 2011.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
Ten Hag shows Ronaldo ‘respect’
Erik ten Hag has responded to questions from the press regarding his decision not to use Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese legend remained on the Manchester United bench despite the Red Devils making five substitutions at the Etihad.
But afterwards Ten Hag revealed that he did not want to insult the striker by introducing him with United already 4-0 down to their rivals.
The Dutch coach said it was ‘out of respect for his big career’ that he kept the 37-year-old out of the action.
City close gap on leaders
Unbeaten Manchester City once again narrowed Arsenal’s lead at the top to one point after dismantling rival Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions already have a positive goal difference of 20.
United remain sixth after their four-game winning streak was brought crudely to an end.
Haaland goes on smashing records
Not many players have scored three Premier League hat-tricks.
Among those that did bag at least three trebles, it took Michael Owen 48 games, Ruud van Nistelrooy 59, Fernando Torres 64, Andrew Cole 65 and Luis Suarez 71.
It has taken Erling Haaland just eight games.
Eriksen honest in derby assessment
Christian Eriksen has pulled no punches in his post-match interview, labelling Manchester United’s performance as ‘unacceptable’.
It was a very, very bad day at the office. We started on the wrong foot, they had chances straight from the kick-off, and we can only blame ourselves for not coming into the game at any point. We missed a bit of courage to play out from the back. It was unacceptable.
Christian Eriksen
Erling a touch of class
Erling Haaland had just 35 touches in the Manchester derby, but only needed three to ensure that he bagged a hat-trick for the third Premier League home game in a row.
Haaland loving life at City
Erling Haaland struck another three goals for Manchester City, and then afterwards told Sky Sports’ Geoff Shreeves that he thoroughly enjoys how his team are set up to play.
The Norwegian was even able to share a smile with his fellow hat-trick hero Phil Foden, joking that he’d expect them each to receive a match ball after their respective trebles.
We always want to go forward. We always want to attack and this is what I love about the team. It’s amazing, there’s nothing more to say.
Erling Haaland
Match stats from the Etihad
An absurd afternoon that provided nine goals, four goalscorers, 34 attempts on goal and over 1000 passes.
Goals galore at the Etihad
In fact, today’s game has featured the most goals ever scored in a single Manchester derby.
Full time – Man City 6-3 Man Utd
Well, Manchester United won the second half!
A stunning 6-3 scoreline in the Manchester derby doesn’t tell the true story of two sides miles apart in confidence, ability and togetherness.
Man City 6-3 Man Utd
90+1. In the first of two minutes of stoppage time, Anthony Martial bags his second to add a gloss of respectability to the scoreline.
It’s an absolutely brilliant penalty from Martia, who opens up his body and sidefoots high into the top right corner. No chance Ederson!
Man City 6-2 Man Utd – Penalty to Man Utd!
89. Martial tricks Cancelo into making a lunge just inside the penalty area, and Michael Oliver points straight to the spot.
Man City 6-2 Man Utd
87. Antony has sight of goal inside of the box, but his curler towards the near post is weak.
The Brazilian is clearly better when twice as far out.
Man City 6-2 Man Utd
85. City almost add a seventh.
However, Alvarez is unable to control a centre, and then Laporte is off target with his header.
Man City 6-2 Man Utd
84. United cut the deficit to five again with another consolation.
City switch off at the back momentarily, and the visitors pounce.
One substitute, Fred, has his shot pushed out by Edersen, but another – Anthony Martial – follows in to head home.
It’s a goalscoring return for the Frenchman but does not mask a dark day for Manchester United.
Man City 6-1 Man Utd
82. Inside the final ten minutes, and it’s become a procession for City.
Mind you, it’s been that way since the half-hour mark.
Man City 6-1 Man Utd – Bruno Fernandes yellow card
79. As predictable as night following day, Bruno Fernandes goes into the book for a show of petulance.
The Portuguese playmaker is cautioned for saying too much after being adjudged to have fouled Akanji.
Man City 6-1 Man Utd
77. You feel the fallout at Old Trafford will be long and intense after this contest.
Their fans are furious, and they have every right to be so.
Man City 6-1 Man Utd – Man City substitutions
75. As the home fans celebrate in the stands, Pep Guardiola winds up for a quadruple substitution.
On come Aymeric Laporte, Riyad Mahrez, Cole Palmer and Julian Alvarez; off go Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne and – one hat-trick hero – Phil Foden.
Man City 6-1 Man Utd
74. ‘We want ten!’ sing the Manchester City fans, a throwback to a Second Division game in 1987 when they Huddersfield 10-1 and three of their players – Tony Adcock, Paul Stewart and David White – all grabbed hat-tricks.
Man City 6-1 Man Utd
72. Make that four hat-tricks for City players in Manchester derbies!
Phil Foden follows Erling Haaland into the history books by completely his treble!
The United defence disappear again as Haaland shrugs off an opponent to poke a pass through.
Foden keeps himself on side, and then keeps his cool to rocket his third past David de Gea.
Man City 5-1 Man Utd – Man Utd substitution
70. A final change for United as Fred comes on for Jadon Sancho.
Man City 5-1 Man Utd
68. Erling Halland has become the third player to score a hat-trick for City in a Manchester derby.
The Norwegian joins Francis Lee, who did so in December 1970, and Horace Barnes, way back in October 1921.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk