Sergio Aguero put his side ahead in the 16th minute with a superb left-footed volley following good work by Samir Nasri and Alexander Kolarov down the left flank.

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Manchester United during their Premier League match on September 22, 2013 © Getty Images

City continued to dominate proceedings and Nasri came close to scoring himself with a rasping volley from 18 yards out a few minutes later.

Referee Howard Webb waved away Man City's claims for a penalty when Kolarov collided with Chris Smalling inside the box and Wayne Rooney earned a booking as tempers flared.

In first-half stoppage time, Toure doubled City's lead as the Ivorian reacted first to deflect Alvaro Negredo's effort into the net off his knee.

The second half was barely 60 seconds old when Aguero grabbed his second goal of the game. Negredo turned away from Smalling and sent an inviting cross to the Argentine, who side-footed home to score City's third of the match.

Nasri got himself on the scoresheet just two minutes later when he volleyed home Jesus Navas's deep cross to send the home fans into pandemonium.

Manchester City's Samir Nasri celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal against Manchester United during their Premier League match on September 22, 2013 © Getty Images

Rooney had a glorious opportunity to reduce the deficit on the hour mark, but the England international forward ballooned his effort over the bar from 12 yards.

Marouane Fellaini did test Joe Hart with a curling effort from the edge of the box and Patrice Evra rattled the post with a header as the visitors slowly got a foothold in the game.

The one positive for United came in the 87th minute when Wayne Rooney curled a delightful free kick into the top corner from 25 yards, but it was far too late to affect the outcome of the match.