Dimitar Berbatov’s stunning hat-trick sealed a more convincing victory for Manchester United than the scoreline suggests.

United were cruising until a Steven Gerrard - inspired mini-comeback midway through the second half. But the Bulgarian’s terrific late header ensured the right result.

United fashioned few first-half chances despite plenty of possession. But they led at half-time after Berbatov beat unlikely marker Fernando Torres to head home Ryan Giggs’ left-wing corner on 42 minutes.

Nani fired a right-foot drive against the left-hand post on 56 minutes. And three minutes later, Berbatov’s magic appeared to make the game safe.

He controlled Nani’s cross with his back to goal, 15 yards out, and thumped a majestic overhead kick in off the underside of the crossbar.

Five minutes later, though, Jonny Evans’ crude penalty-box challenge on Torres allowed Gerrard to pull a goal back from the spot.

And after Torres was fouled on the edge of the box six minutes later by John O’Shea, Gerrard fired the free-kick through United’s disintegrating defensive wall past keeper Edwin Van der Sar’s left hand.

But the game will forever be known as “Berbatov’s derby” after the Bulgarian won it on 84 minutes with a terrific downward header from O’Shea’s cross.