Of the 10 most recent Manchester derbies, the blue half of the city have celebrated six victories, while the Red Devils have picked up just three wins.
The last time that Manchester City enjoyed similar success against their neighbours came back in the late 1960s and early 1970s when they lost just once in nine outings.
The most impressive triumph during that run came 45 years ago today when the Citizens made the short trip across town to Old Trafford to take on hosting Manchester United, who boasted the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best in their starting lineup.
However, that trio, who later were dubbed the 'Holy Trinity', were barely afforded a kick as a Francis Lee-inspired City ran riot.
But, before Lee had a say on proceedings, there were two major moments. City midfielder Mike Doyle broke the deadlock when he glanced in Colin Bell's cross from the right flank which beat Jimmy Rimmer via the upright.
Then, soon after Best went in late on Glyn Pardoe - a challenge that left the City defender with a broken leg and facing a two-year spell on the sidelines. Much to the disgust of Pardoe's teammates, United's number seven only received a caution.
From that moment onwards, though, the encounter belonged to Lee. The centre-forward made it 2-0 before the break when he capitalised on some slack defending by the home side.
After the restart Bell was alert to intercept Nobby Stiles's pass. He in turn released Mike Summerbee, who lifted his head to see Lee unmarked inside the area. Rimmer got hands to the striker's shot, but it was not enough to prevent the ball from squirming over the line before a retreating Stiles could make up enough ground.
Lee then completed his hat-trick when substitute Arthur Mann floated over a cross from the left, planting it into the top corner of the net with a rising header to make it 4-0.
Brian Kidd pulled one back for United late on with a shot on the turn from the edge of the City box, but the damage had already been done, primarily by Lee.
Man United: Rimmer; Watson, James, Dunne, Fitzpatrick; Aston, Stiles, Best, Charlton; Kidd, Law (Sartori)
Man City: Corrigan; Book, Booth, Oakes, Pardoe (Mann); Doyle, Summerbee, Bell, Jeffries; Lee, Young
Liam Apicella
