Ignore for a moment the fact that this victory may bring forward a date with a dreaded destiny, this was a huge performance, and an even bigger win for Manchester United.
Yes, it may have altered the date Liverpool win the league by more than two weeks – to March 21 at home to Crystal Palace if they can win at Goodison Park against Everton the preceding Monday – but this was a significant result for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his players. It is the first season they have done the league double over their city rivals since 2009-10, and only the second time they have beaten them at Old Trafford in the last decade.