Gary Neville claims Manchester United were "dismantled" by neighbours Manchester City in their 2-1 defeat in the Manchester derby clash at Old Trafford on 10 September. Kevin De Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho's first half goals were sufficient for the Citizens to seal three points.

Both teams had maintained a 100% win record in the Premier League before the start of the match. However, it was Pep Guardiola's side who came on top as they dominated the first 40 minutes of the match and also scored twice in that period.

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Claudio Bravo's mistake at the end of the first half saw the 20-time English champions score their only goal of the match against City. United manager Jose Mourinho expressed his disappointment after his players failed to follow instructions and criticised the referee for deciding against handing a penalty to the hosts on two occasions.

The former Red Devils defender hailed Guardiola's side and admitted that City were "special" for the majority of the first half. Despite United's first defeat of the season, Neville remains confident that both the Manchester clubs will finish in the top three this season.

"Man City for 40 minutes were special, fantastic. I think Man City dismantled Man Utd. The word I used in commentary was authority," Neville told Sky Sports.

"When you're a really top team, able to go to your biggest rivals with the biggest build-up, and just completely dominate, that's when you see the makings of a really good side.

"Pep Guardiola came here with his team and answered a lot of questions. Not just they can dominate like he has done previously in other clubs, but also in the second half to withstand pressure and long balls."

"They will this season [be inside the top three], they absolutely will this season. With my Manchester head on, without my red head on, I'm thinking that was a pretty fantastic game to watch for the rest of the country and rest of the world."

Jose Mourinho Manchester United FC Manchester City FC Premier League