Manchester United made it six consecutive victories in the Premier League on Sunday with a comfortable 4-2 win at home to local rivals Manchester City.

The visitors took an early lead through Sergio Aguero, but goals from Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling saw United seize control of the encounter.

City pulled one back through Aguero late on, though it was not enough to stop them suffering a severe blow to their title defence.

Here, Sports Mole rates the individual performances of those involved on a good afternoon for the red half of Manchester.

MAN UTD

Goal

David de Gea: A solid afternoon between the sticks for the Spaniard, though he will be disappointed not to have kept out Aguero's goal late on. (7/10)

Defence

Antonio Valencia: Gave a dynamic display at right-back, surging forward to cause City problems on plenty of occasions. Also defended doggedly when needed. (7/10)

Phil Jones: A ferocious 90 minutes from Jones as he scared the life out of City's forwards thanks to a mix of sturdy challenges and persistent running. (8/10)

Chris Smalling: Had a couple of shaky moments early on, but the England international recovered to provide his side with a solid presence at the back. Took his goal well, nodding in from a free kick. (7/10)

Daley Blind: Another fine performance from the versatile Dutchman, who gave no quarter at the back with his hard tackling and unfading determination. (8/10)

Midfield

Michael Carrick: Controlled large parts of the match from midfield. Kept the hosts ticking over with his metronomic passing and clever vision. (7/10)

Juan Mata: Played a key role in all of United's best attacking moves. Continued his recent resurgence with a calmly-taken goal to make it 3-1. (7/10)

Ander Herrera: His tenacity in central areas often set the tone for United's overall display. Would not give the opposition any time on the ball and also got forward plenty of times to support the attackers. (8/10)

Marouane Fellaini: Dominated the game thanks to an all-conquering showing from midfield. Helped the home side win back possession numerous times, but was even more effective up front with his brute strength, which contributed to his goal. (9/10)

Ashley Young: Kept the opposition on their toes with his pace and crossing from wide areas. Showed good awareness to draw United level after seeing his initial shot blocked. (8/10)

Attack

Wayne Rooney: Would have been disappointed not to have got on the scoresheet, but Rooney's unselfish play often led to United causing a threat from elsewhere. (7/10)

Substitutes

Marcos Rojo: Blended well into United's defence after replacing Jones with 15 minutes remaining. (7/10)

Angel di Maria: Added fresh legs to the home side's cause and could have found the net with a low drive from the edge of the box. (6/10)

Radamel Falcao: Despite coming on to a big ovation from the United fans, the Colombian failed to make an impact in the final third. (6/10)

MAN CITY

Goal

Joe Hart: Made a couple of important saves during the game, but these did little to help City's cause on a difficult afternoon at the back. Was exposed far too often by his defence. (5/10)

Defence

Pablo Zabaleta: Was caught out of position plenty of times as the visitors crumbled at the back. His biggest impact was setting up Aguero at the end. (5/10)

Vincent Kompany: A shaky first half saw the skipper replaced at the break, though this was down to an injury concern more than anything else. That said, the Belgian looked far from his best. (5/10)

Martin Demichelis: Struggled to deal with United's slick attacking play. More focus and discipline was needed in defence from the centre-back. (5/10)

Gael Clichy: Was given a tough time down the left by the marauding Valencia. Could not get forward as much as he was needed because of United's dominance going forward. (5/10)

Midfield

Jesus Navas: An inconsistent 90 minutes from the Spaniard, who only came alive every so often. Should have helped out more at the back. (6/10)

Yaya Toure: Some superb passing from the Ivorian was one of the few highlights for City. Drifted in and out of the game too often. (6/10)

Fernandinho: Was robust during the early part of the match, but he faded as the afternoon went on. Failed to offer the visitors the protection that they needed. (5/10)

David Silva: Was at the heart of anything good that City did in the final third. However, similar to his fellow midfielders, his lack of desire in getting back and defending was poor. (6/10)

James Milner: The England man was wasted in the more advanced role that he was given. Could have been far more effective at the other end of the pitch. (5/10)

Attack

Sergio Aguero: Despite scoring two goals, he had little to work with up front. Was in need of more support during key stages of the game. (6/10)

Substitutes

Eliaquim Mangala: Endured a tough second half after replacing Kompany at the break. Was at fault for United's fourth goal, playing a number of red shirts onside before Smalling converted. (5/10)

Samir Nasri: Showed plenty of desire to get on the ball, but could not make City tick in midfield and up front during the final half an hour. (6/10)

Frank Lampard: Played a peripheral role when he came off the bench for the last 15 minutes. (5/10)