The first ever Manchester derby on foreign soil went United's way as Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford put City to the sword.
A year on from a quagmire pitch forcing their Beijing meeting to be called off, the cavernous NRG Stadium, host of the Super Bowl earlier this year, witnessed history as the rivals met in the International Champions Cup.
Lukaku's superb goal from an acute angle and a neat Rashford finish proved the difference in Texas, where Jose Mourinho's United racked up their third friendly win as Pep Guardiola's City opened pre-season with a 2-0 defeat.
Play swung from end to end to excite the 67,401 fans under the roof in Houston, with United taking control as half-time approached.
Lukaku embarrassed Ederson Moraes by latching onto a fine Paul Pogba pass and continuing to slot home from an improbable angle, with the new City goalkeeper's positioning again under scrutiny as Rashford struck soon after.
Lukaku saw an effort come back off the woodwork early in the second half, but there was to be no more goals as play lost momentum as Mourinho and Guardiola rang the changes.
Raheem Sterling and sharp-looking Phil Foden had attempts for City, with the former's deflected effort forcing a fine save from David De Gea after Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Herrera were denied.
Chris Smalling produced back-to-back blocks after getting away with pulling back Patrick Roberts in the box before Ederson failed to do his job.
Rushing out to meet a Pogba through ball, the Brazilian goalkeeper was beaten to the ball by Lukaku and then watched helplessly as the United new boy showed great confidence and skill to turn home from an acute ankle.
It was an excellent finish that was added to within minutes. Mkhitaryan slid the ball wide to Rashford and the teenager drilled low past Ederson.
Foden would have reduced the deficit before half-time was it not for De Gea's reaction save, but United were now on top and threatening a third.
Chances were at a premium as substitutions took the sting out of proceedings after the main break.
PA
