Soccer – Manchester United 2 Manchester City 1:Wayne Rooney netted a wonder goal to give Manchester United a crucial 2-1 win over neighbours Manchester City in today's crucial derby clash at Old Trafford.

The England striker, who had been largely anonymous for most of the afternoon, blasted home a sensational overhead kick just 12 minutes from time to send United seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.

His quite brilliant strike from Nani's curling cross rescued the afternoon for Alex Ferguson's side, just when City were threatening to give them a second consecutive league defeat.

David Silva had just equalised Nani's first-half opener and Roberto Mancini's side appeared to be in the driving seat.

Ferguson hailed Rooney’s winner as the best goal he had seen at Old Trafford.

“It was stunning,” he said. “(Nani’s opener) was an unbelievable goal, but nobody in their right sense will even talk about it.

“All the talk will be about that winning goal - unbelievable.” Asked if he had seen a better goal at the ground, Ferguson replied: “No.

“Rooney hit a volley against Newcastle some years ago and it was that ferocity... We’ve had some fantastic goals here but in terms of execution... you’ll never see that.”

Ferguson now wants Rooney and strike partner Dimitar Berbatov to start producing on the road.

“I have to say that what I need to get out of Wayne and Berbatov is performances away from home,” the Scot added. “They’ve not been as good as they have been at home.

“That’s a quandary because, the ability those two have, they really should be dictating games for us. When they do, it’ll make a hell of a difference to Manchester United.”

The Red Devils’ victory moved them eight points ahead of Roberto Mancini’s side, but Ferguson does not believe United can write their local rivals off.

Asked if this marked the end of City’s title challenge, he replied: “No. They’re in the top four. They’ve got a big, strong squad. They’ll win more games than you think.”

The big pre-match team news saw both Berbatov and Edin Dzeko left on their respective benches. And it was City who held sway in the early stages with the excellent David Silva firing just wide of the United goal after a superb move from the visitors.

When the deadlock was broken though it was United who found the cutting edge just four minutes before the break.

Rooney flicked on a long ball to Ryan Giggs and his pass found Nani in stride on the edge of the City box. He controlled it before sliding the ball past Joe Hart with his left foot.

United had the better of the opening half of the second period, but City drew level on 65 minutes, thanks to that man Silva.

Shaun Wright-Phillips crossed low into the box and substitute Dzeko's shot hit Silva on the back before flying past Edwin van der Sar in the United goal.

City then threatened to go on and claim a famous victory, but it was Rooney who had the last incredible word.