Vivianne Miedema celebrates scoring at Old TraffordGetty Images
At a glance
Vivianne Miedema scores two goals in two minutes as City stroll to an early lead at Old Trafford
Lauren Hemp hits the crossbar and Rebecca Knaak has a goal disallowed in a flurry of first-half chances for the visitors
Kerstin Casparij seals victory for City in the second half
United have still not beaten City in the WSL at Old Trafford
Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Old Trafford
Vivianne Miedema's double helped Manchester City edge closer to the Women's Super League title with a comfortable derby win over neighbours United.
Andree Jeglertz's side need just two more victories to confirm their first league title in a decade and their fans left Old Trafford in a party mood.
Netherlands international Miedema went off to a standing ovation in the second half with her side 3-0 up after she had scored twice in as many first-half minutes.
It was another impressive display by the champions-elect as they capitalised on a ruthless start with Miedema's headers.
City were in complete control when Kerstin Casparij dealt another blow to United, following up at the back post to score their third goal within 49 minutes.
It was the second time this week United had suffered defeat at Old Trafford, having lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.
But this was even worse as City toyed with United, showing them up in their own backyard, and it was barely a contest.
Marc Skinner's side face a battle to remain in the top three - securing European football next season - and could drop to fourth on Sunday.
They currently sit second, 11 points behind City and only three points above fourth-placed Arsenal. The Gunners and rivals Chelsea play later this weekend.
Man Utd analysis: Hosts produce toothless display
The derby could not have come at a worse time for Manchester United – sandwiched between two Champions League quarter-final matches against Bayern Munich.
Skinner's squad is running on empty as a gruelling schedule catches up with them and they had just two senior outfield players on the bench.
City showed no mercy, hammering United's goal in the opening 45 minutes and trotting down the tunnel at half-time with a comfortable two-goal lead.
Striker Melvine Malard had only touched the ball twice - and the only positive for United was that they were not trailing by more.
The lack of squad depth was evident but it does not fully explain the gulf between the two sides. United failed to lay a glove on City and were poorly organised at the back.
Captain Maya Le Tissier had a difficult afternoon with WSL top scorer Khadija Shaw running riot and Miedema ghosting into space inside the box.
United's midfield was easily overrun and when the hosts did have opportunity to advance, they looked hesitant and unwilling to take risks.
Even the United fans had little to offer as Old Trafford was eerily quiet for large spells – only the euphoric chanting from the away corner drifting across the chilly stadium.
There was an improvement in the second half but the game was gone and City's foot was off the gas.
For United, it was another derby day to forget - they have won only two of their 13 WSL meetings with Manchester City and are yet to win any at Old Trafford.
What's next for both teams?
Manchester United return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they look to overturn their 3-2 deficit against Bayern Munich in Germany (17:45 BST).
Their next WSL game is on Sunday, 26 April at Tottenham (12:00 BST).
Manchester City face Brighton in the WSL on Saturday, 25 April (12:00 BST) but first they have an FA Cup quarter-final tie at Birmingham City on Monday, 6 April (17:00 BST).
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91P. Tullis-Joyce
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5H. Lundkvist
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21M. Turner
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4M. Le Tissier
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9M. Malard
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20H. Miyazawa
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16L. Naalsund
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8J. Park
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13S. Awujo
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24L. Schüller
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47J. Anderson
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57L. Drury
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3G. George
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12F. Rolfö
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Starting XI
31A. Yamashita
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5A. Greenwood
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27R. Knaak
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4J. Rose
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18K. Casparij
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25Y. Hasegawa
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17S. Coffey
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11L. Hemp
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10V. Miedema
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20A. Fujino
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9K. Shaw
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8M. Fowler
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14Kerolin
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