Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw at Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday as they fell three points behind leaders Manchester City.
City earlier beat bottom club Sheffield United 1-0 to move to 44 points from 20 matches while United are on 41 points from one game more.
Third-placed Leicester City, who are on 39 points, will go above Manchester United if they can beat Leeds United on Sunday.
United set a new club record of 18 away games unbeaten in the league.
In Manchester, a ninth-minute goal from Brazilian Gabriel Jesus gave full points.
City have now won 12 straight games in all competitions — a club record run of victories. It was also Pep Guardiola’s 500th win as a manager.
Jesus slotted home from close range after Ferran Torres took advantage of poor defending to wriggle free of two players and pick out his unmarked teammate.
“It was so difficult. We knew it would be,” said the Spaniard. “It was amazing, this run of 12 wins in a row, still the players run and fight like animals,” he added.