Man Utd 3 - Aston Villa 1: Herrera brace lifts Red Devils above Man City ahead of derby

For the first time since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson they are looking forward to the derby match against City next weekend in the knowledge their team are favourites to win.

It is too early to say the good times have completely returned at United, but this seemed like a seminal moment in the sunshine for manager Louis Van Gaal as his team continued a strong run of form with a dominant victory.

Two goals from Ander Herrera and a marvellously acrobatic volley from Wayne Rooney sealed a triumph that sent City tumbling down to fourth place.

The mood at Old Trafford was one of deep contentment --- not least for Van Gaal as he sat in the dugout for the whole 90 minutes barely feeling a moment of alarm.

His quiet reticence on the bench is a welcome contrast to modern fashion for managers prowling the touchline, trying to play the game for the players.

After many months of experiments in his first season at the club, United are now benefiting from the virtues of a settled team and a playing system that features Rooney in his best position

Rooney relishes that and his performance today illustrated the point as he played with energy and intelligence.

His goal that clinched the victory was sublime, controlling a cross from Angel Di Maria with his left foot, swivelling instantly, and scoring with a stunning right foot volley into the top corner.

This was the special moment in an otherwise routine win, United enjoying the kind of easy dominance they did for so long when Ferguson guided their fortunes.

The first goal arrived just before the break, created by a series of slick passes on the left flank that allowed Herrera time and space in the area to score with a low left-footed shot.

Rooney shot inches wide and Marouane Fellaini had a header clawed away by Villa keeper Brad Guzan as they maintained control of possession through the second half.

They had to wait until the 79th minute for Rooney’s goal to make it 2-0 and then immediately had their only dodgy moment when Christian Benteke scored for Villa with a tame shot at a corner that surprisingly slipped under the body of United keeper David De Gea.

Panic stations? Hardly. United’s control remained firm and Rooney instigated a third goal in stoppage time when he claimed the ball from a drop kick in midfield and another episode of clever passes ended with Herrera scoring with a slide rule shot.

Villa supporters will be the ones with some panic in their hearts. The initial boost from new manager Tim Sherwood seems to have dimmed, and two defeats in succession puts them very much back in the relegation dogfight.

Their next match is on Tuesday night at home to QPR, now just three points behind Villa. 

“Yes, it’s a massive match for us,” said Sherwood. “We need to win that and put a six point gap between us and Rangers. 

“We needed a bit of luck today and we didn’t get it. But we were playing against a very good United team.”

The contrast with United manager Van Gaal was total. He was all smiles afterwards, full of bonhomie and satisfaction.

If his team can beat Manchester City next weekend his quiet revolution will win over any last lingering doubters.