Take a bow, Roberto Mancini. There are 29 games left in this season’s Premier League title race, but Mancini has delivered one of the most crushing blows only nine games in, taking his Manchester City to Old Trafford and being the first team since Chelsea in April 2010, to walk out with all three points.

That alone, is an achievement worthy of praise, but not only did they walk out with three points, they walked out with six goals, and the pride of Manchester. Old Trafford was stunned into silence by the brilliance of Mario Balotelli’s first goal, and when Jonny Evans dashed any chances his side harboured after getting himself sent off for a moment of sheer incompetence, there was only ever going to be one winner.

It made for a remarkable juxtaposition. Sir Alex, who will soon complete 25 years at the helm of Manchester United, a feat simply unheard of in the modern game, looked as though he was managing his first derby ever, whilst Mancini came into battle with conviction in a plan that would pay off in the biggest possible way.

United looked relatively comfortable prior to Evans’ lapse in concentration which would lead to perhaps the worst defeat United have ever suffered at Old Trafford.

But the naivety of Sir Alex’s tactical plan after Evans's red card was ruthlessly exposed by the patience and execution of Manchester City’s frightening forward line, and Sir Alex was left to rue what he labelled an “embarrassing” day for Manchester United.

Sir Alex called it “suicide” and you couldn’t help but feel for David de Gea in the final minutes of the game as he watched the blue shirts of City crash down upon him time and time again. With practically no defensive cover whatsoever from anyone in front of him, he conceded an extra three goals.

Whether or not this result proves to serve as a wakeup call for Manchester United remains to be seen, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Sir Alex will be doing everything he can to turn this moment in United’s season into the one that sees the beast within awoken. What is beyond doubt though, is that Manchester City has seemingly found a balance within the squad that allows them to play world class football consistently.

Not even the poison that is Carlos Tevez can undo this side, as Robert Mancini’s direct and disciplined approach to his squad continues to reap dividends. Samir Nasri sat patiently on the bench, whilst there was not an utterance of defiance from Balotelli, when he was taken off despite being on a hat trick or Aguero when they were substituted, and that sort of harmony is extremely ominous for anyone who dreams of Premiership glory this season.

Turbulence within the City inner-sanctum has arguably prevented Manchester City from accomplishing what they are proving capable of achieving, and Mancini will understand how importance maintaining this harmony and managing the egos of his players will be as City seeks a first league title since 1968.

It’s a long season, and there is still plenty of football to play. The opening nine rounds share a striking  similarity with last season’s, which saw Chelsea fire ahead to what many felt would be an unattainable lead. Five points is nothing to concern Sir Alex too much, but the continued brilliance of Mancini’s Manchester City is.