A defeat would have meant City are no longer in control of their destiny with Liverpool leading at the top. However after a slow first half, City came back after the break all fired up and scored two quick goals through Bernado Silva and Leroy Sane to condemn United to their second defeat in the league in less than a week.
City are now a point ahead of Liverpool with three games to go against Burnley, Leicester and Brighton. On the other hand, Liverpool will face Huddersfield, Newcastle and Wolves.
Elsewhere Arsenal's poor form continued as they were trashed 3-1 by Wolves to further jeopardize their chances of finishing in top four.
The latest round of Champions League hot potato left Arsenal nursing severe scorch marks and Unai Emery surely wondering if his players actually want to finish in the top four.
After a weekend when Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal all missed opportunities to seize the initiative, Emery’s team were at it again at Molineux. They lost for a second time in four days and this time in truly chastening style.
Arsenal displayed some of their worst traits to prompt concern for the run-in, but Wolves deserve huge credit for once more leaving a big club bloodied and bruised.