Reuters/London

Yesterday’s newspapers reported that the Scot had given his beaten side a blast of the infamous Alex Ferguson ‘hairdryer’ treatment after the match.

Moyes, who took over from compatriot Ferguson at the end of last season, refused to confirm the full intensity of the dressing down but it was clear some hair had been ruffled at the very least.

Moyes enjoyed a fine record at the Etihad Stadium with former club Everton, winning on four of his last six visits, and he appeared slightly baffled by the poor quality of his new side’s display.

“It’s just what I’d have done if I’d... I’ve been here many times with Everton and don’t think I’ve suffered a defeat like this with Everton,” the former Goodison boss told reporters when asked whether he had resorted to a first use of his predecessor’s favourite appliance.

“So I just told the players the way I would have told players at any other club if I don’t think they’re doing it.” added Moyes. “They’re good players, they’re good pros, they know when they’re bang at it and when they’re not.”

Sunday’s match at the Etihad might have had Ferguson, if not throwing the crockery, at least delivering a lung-emptying tirade after a scoreline that was United’s worst defeat at City in 24 years. The headlines talked of a humiliation, rather than just a beating, for Premier League champions whose limitations were cruelly exposed.

United were without striker Robin van Persie, who did not start due to a groin injury, but Moyes refused to use that as an excuse for a performance that raised serious questions about the quality of United’s squad.

Instead, the manager demanded an immediate reaction from his players in the Capital One (League) Cup tie at home to Liverpool tomorrow.

“The way they have been brought up, the way they have been bred with the manager previously, they react, that’s what they do,” he said. “We’ll make sure we react. Every manager has bad results.

I’m no different.”

City manager Manuel Pellegrini will have far happier memories of his first Manchester derby, having seen his side climb to third place in the table with a brilliantly assured performance. Asked if City had struck a big psychological blow against their cross-town rivals, he replied: “Very big. Always, winning against Manchester United and the way we win, is always an important impact.”

He said the nature of his side’s performance, in which man-of-the-match Nasri played a part in all four goals, would also help him to introduce a more expansive style of play than that of his predecessor, Roberto Mancini.

“I would be very happy if we win all the games 4-1. We wouldn’t need to improve anything more,” he said. “I think we are just starting another style, another way to play, and I hope we will improve every day.”

Although Robin van Persie missed out for United with a groin strain, Moyes said the injury was “not that bad”, suggesting the Dutchman could feature against Liverpool in the League Cup tomorrow.

The Scot also sought solace in the performance of Wayne Rooney, who scored with a fine late free-kick to become the outright leading scorer in the history of the Manchester derby with 11 goals. “Obviously we miss Robin van Persie, it’s a huge miss to anybody,” Moyes said.

“But I thought Wayne Rooney could have arguably been the best player on the pitch today (Sunday). He certainly didn’t deserve to play on the losing team, that was for sure. “He was outstanding today and what I remember back to probably as good a Wayne Rooney as I’ve seen, on that showing today.”