MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez each scored twice as Manchester City re-opened a six-point gap on the Premier League stage when they thrashed Manchester United 4-1 at the Etihad earlier this morning.

The defeat means there is a 22-point gap between the two clubs and another threat to United’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

The Red Devils are now trailing Arsenal in fourth place with one point behind and their opponents have three games in hand.

On the league stage, Liverpool also have one extra game to reduce City’s advantage to three points.

Pep Guardiola’s side responded to the pressure from their opponents after winning seven league games by rising from two games below real ability against Tottenham and Everton.

United without the presence of injured strikers, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani as well as defenders, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw who are each positive COVID-19.

De Bruyne blasted in the fifth and 28th minutes before Jadon Sancho closed the gap in the 22nd minute.

City responded with two more goals from Riyad Mahrez in the 68th minute and the end of the match.