It always promised to be an eventful day and it sure turned out to be one we're not going to forget for a while.
Now we know us City fans are among the best in the country but there's a minority of idiots that claim to be fans of each club and I was convinced one of them would ruin it on Sunday.
Yet I need not have worried. The idiots were kept out and the minute's silence was impeccably observed. It was possibly my proudest moment as a City fan. Now the whole nation knows we really are great fans.
The club must have breathed a huge sigh of relief and, judging by their performance, the players must have been impressed too because I think that minute's silence set the tone for the rest of the day - while we behaved impeccably off the pitch, the players performed impeccably on it.
United enjoyed some early possession but the Blues stayed composed. United began to make a few errors and sensing the opportunity was there for the taking, we went and took it.
The Blues carried out the game plan to perfection, showing an efficiency I've rarely seen from a City side. We stayed solid at the back, put United under pressure on the break and made sure we grabbed the 2 goals to put ourselves in a commanding position heading into the break.
Still City stood firm, although the second-half onslaught most of us envisaged never materialised. I can only presume the United players were overawed by the emotion of the whole occasion - forget what Queiroz said, we had plenty of players away on international duty too. And even if they were fatigued, I'm sure United's midweek trip to Asia for a lucrative exhibition game the other week didn't help.
I was flabbergasted the United fans didn't get behind them during the second half - after all, they were 2-0 down at home in a derby game. But the 72k United fans were silent as 3k City fans chanted away for the last 20 mins, and with great humour too. I was amazed just how quickly someone managed to come up with that Benjani song.
Yet on a day when City fans earned the respect of the nation, United fans deserve credit too after several Reds clapped the City players off as they finally headed back to the tunnel after the game.
Even on Monday, I've had United fans acknowledge our behaviour and admit they were beaten by the better team, which we haven't heard too often over recent years.
I believe that Sunday's derby has seen modern-day City and United fans develop a mutual respect which they have never had before. I look forward to enjoying a better relationship with United fans - maybe it will get back to how it was back in the days of the Munich air crash.
It was a great day for football and a great day for Manchester, and everybody involved should take a bow.
The one negative point, Sir Alex leaving immediately after the game without making comment. The United boss was flying to South Africa to promote their pre-season tour.
Perhaps there's no stopping the game being taken away from us, after all.
Now we know us City fans are among the best in the country but there's a minority of idiots that claim to be fans of each club and I was convinced one of them would ruin it on Sunday.
Yet I need not have worried. The idiots were kept out and the minute's silence was impeccably observed. It was possibly my proudest moment as a City fan. Now the whole nation knows we really are great fans.
The club must have breathed a huge sigh of relief and, judging by their performance, the players must have been impressed too because I think that minute's silence set the tone for the rest of the day - while we behaved impeccably off the pitch, the players performed impeccably on it.
United enjoyed some early possession but the Blues stayed composed. United began to make a few errors and sensing the opportunity was there for the taking, we went and took it.
The Blues carried out the game plan to perfection, showing an efficiency I've rarely seen from a City side. We stayed solid at the back, put United under pressure on the break and made sure we grabbed the 2 goals to put ourselves in a commanding position heading into the break.
Still City stood firm, although the second-half onslaught most of us envisaged never materialised. I can only presume the United players were overawed by the emotion of the whole occasion - forget what Queiroz said, we had plenty of players away on international duty too. And even if they were fatigued, I'm sure United's midweek trip to Asia for a lucrative exhibition game the other week didn't help.
I was flabbergasted the United fans didn't get behind them during the second half - after all, they were 2-0 down at home in a derby game. But the 72k United fans were silent as 3k City fans chanted away for the last 20 mins, and with great humour too. I was amazed just how quickly someone managed to come up with that Benjani song.
Yet on a day when City fans earned the respect of the nation, United fans deserve credit too after several Reds clapped the City players off as they finally headed back to the tunnel after the game.
Even on Monday, I've had United fans acknowledge our behaviour and admit they were beaten by the better team, which we haven't heard too often over recent years.
I believe that Sunday's derby has seen modern-day City and United fans develop a mutual respect which they have never had before. I look forward to enjoying a better relationship with United fans - maybe it will get back to how it was back in the days of the Munich air crash.
It was a great day for football and a great day for Manchester, and everybody involved should take a bow.
The one negative point, Sir Alex leaving immediately after the game without making comment. The United boss was flying to South Africa to promote their pre-season tour.
Perhaps there's no stopping the game being taken away from us, after all.