Rio Ferdinand claims Manchester United's derby triumph over City was a pivotal moment in their evolution under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Red Devils recorded a 2-0 win away at the Etihad on Sunday as goals from Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw inflicted a first defeat on City since November.
In previous games against 'big six' opposition, United have been happy to sit deep and look to counter-attack.
But against City, they pressed high up the pitch and forced uncharacteristic errors by the Premier League leaders.
Old Trafford legend Ferdinand was delighted by his former side's positive tactics and credited Solskjaer with taking United to the next stage of their development.
"Tactically, I think Ole has us set up perfectly to win the big games against the teams that are going to have more possession," Ferdinand told his Vibe with FIVE podcast.
"Against teams that are going to have the ball more than us, we are primed, we have the perfect personnel to play like that, on the counter-attack, our front threes are as good as anyone.
Do you agree with Rio Ferdinand's praise for Manchester United? Have your say in the comments.
"That’s been proven over the last couple of years, but I also think that the game against Man City at the weekend was such a massive point in the right direction to how we can then evolve.
"We can press teams high up the pitch... We can win the ball high and hurt teams, it’s shown against the best team at passing the ball out from the back, possibly in Europe - Man City.
"We had them on the ropes for 20, 25 minutes from pressing, not even a full press, but actually just the intent to press and then go to punish.
"If we can convert that against the lesser teams, sometimes those teams come to Old Trafford, we go to their ground, and we get forced to sit back.
" Brighton did it to us, they have the possession, but we have the players now - if they’re set up right and coached right to press high - then that’s a hard team to play against."
Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.
