With both managers making hand gestures to suggest the other should stop talking, Ferguson eventually had to be dragged back to his own technical area. City assistant coach David Platt restrained Mancini.

“Sir Alex told me something not kind,’’ Mancini said. “But I can understand, because at that point, tension is high.’’

Ferguson said he was upset that Mancini was yelling too much at the match officials.

“It was feisty. It was a competitive game which we expected, not a lot of goal chances,’’ Ferguson said. “We are disappointed we never tested the goalkeeper; to be honest, our crossing was poor.’’

While United ventured forward in the opening minutes, it was City that controlled possession in the first half and came close in the 25th minute. Sergio Aguero volleyed off target from an angle. That chance had the City supporters on their feet — including Aguero’s father-in-law, Argentina great Diego Maradona, watching from an executive box.

United seemed happy to soak up City’s attacks knowing a draw would all but end City’s title hopes. That plan backfired in first-half stoppage time.

Silva whipped in a corner kick from the right flank and Kompany got away from Chris Smalling to give City the lead with a firm header — ensuring the teams went in for halftime with the home fans waving their blue-and-white flags above their heads in jubilation.

“I guess a lot of predictions go wrong, but I remember someone texting me today and saying ‘You’re going to score a goal today,’ and I thought he was a lunatic,’’ Kompany said.

Uncharacteristically, United failed to create clear chances and Hart had little to do in the City goal.

“We had control of some parts of the game, but not enough to cause any damage,’’ Ferguson said.

United’s frustration continued as City’s defense held firm, while YaYa Toure curled a left-footed effort just wide in the 82nd as gaps opened up in midfield.