Manchester City vs. Manchester United: Gap Between Derby Rivals Is Shrinking

Manchester City may have won Sunday's Premier League clash with rivals Manchester United 1-0, but the way the derby played out shows the gap between both teams is shrinking.

Sergio Aguero scored the only goal of the match in the second half, after Chris Smalling had seen the red card for a dumb lunge on James Milner.

The lead (and eventual win) was completely justified: City had the better of play in the first half and could have been awarded several penalties for a series of questionable offences inside the box.

Jon Super/Associated Press

But the Red Devils looked nothing like the squad we saw last year under David Moyes or at the start of this season with Louis van Gaal at the helm. The visitors didn't fold after Aguero's goal—they fought back, and came close to equalising on several occasions.

As shared by Queens Park Rangers' Joey Barton, the Citizens had to earn the three points on Sunday:

There's plenty of optimism surrounding the Red Devils right now, and one could question why when looking at the Premier League standings. United trail league-leaders Chelsea by 13 points, and a title run seems very unlikely at this point.

But Van Gaal has his squad playing the way he wants them to play, despite a number of key injuries and clear needs at certain positions. The back four is still a huge question mark, filled with talented but inexperienced youngsters, veterans who continue committing fatal errors and Marcos Rojo, the unit's main bright spot.

ESPN FC's John Brewin also noticed the difference between the two clubs is shrinking, despite what the numbers suggest:

Last year's Red Devils would have folded after Smalling's dismissal and likely conceded two or three more goals after Aguero's opener. Conversely, last year's City squad would have been more aggressive moving forward after taking the lead.

Not all credit for the shrinking gap goes to Van Gaal—the Citizens aren't the same team that won last year's Premier League title, either. They're still widely talented and deadly efficient when everything is clicking, but last year's consistency and fighting spirit is missing.

As of right now, the gap between Chelsea and City is six points. Had United equalised in the final 20 minutes of Sunday's fixture, it would have been eight. Neither would have been insurmountable, but with the way both City and the Blues are playing, it feels like the latter squad are running away with the title.

More significantly is United's evolution. As Van Gaal told reporters after the match, via the club's official Twitter feed, the Red Devils are closing in on the level they want to be at:

More reinforcements are expected during the January transfer window, and combined with the host of talented youngsters who will continue to improve, the future is bright for this team.

The top clubs in the Premier League are close to their proverbial ceiling—United still have plenty of margin for growth. A title in 2014-15 is highly unlikely, but that should have never been the goal to begin with.

Van Gaal's vision is slowly taking shape, and his Red Devils are getting closer to the Premier League's elite teams with every passing day. City are still the kings of Manchester, but it won't be long before United are ready to challenge the defending Premier League champions for the throne.

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