It's a sight Manchester United fans have been accustomed to for years but after a 16-month wait 'normality' for those on the red half of the city has only just been restored. For the first time since November 23, 2013 United sit above 'noisy neighbours' Manchester City in the Premier League after having played the same number of games. Following City's 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday night they now trail Louis van Gaal's side by a point ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford. Manchester United sit above Manchester City in the Premier League table for the first time in 16 months after having played the same amount of matches - following the latest round of results . City players look crestfallen during their 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday night . Jason Puncheon curls his free kick over the City wall and into the far corner to put Palace 2-0 ahead . City star striker Sergio Aguero's (left) recent toils in front of goal continued at Selhurst Park on Monday night . Wayne Rooney (centre) scored a stunning half-volley as  United beat Aston Villa 3-1 on Saturday . City now trail United by a point, following Monday's defeat at Palace, with seven league games remaining . The last time this had happened United sat sixth on 20 points, one ahead of then ninth-placed City after 11 games during the 2013-14 campaign. This had occurred following City's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland on November 10, 2013 while a Robin van Persie header gave the Red Devils victory over Arsenal by the same scoreline going into the international break. However, the intervening 499-day period had been one dominated by Manuel Pellegrini's side as they won the league title and the Capital One Cup last season. In comparison, United slumped to seventh in the table - their lowest-ever finish in the Premier League era - with former manager David Moyes sacked as a consequence for their woeful results. United were last above City in the league after an equal amount of games  on November 23, 2013 . This occurred after City's defeat at Sunderland, Robin van Persie's header gave United a 1-0 win vs Arsenal . United's fall from grace was in stark contrast to the 2012-13 term - when they won the title in Sir Alex Ferguson's last as  Old Trafford boss. Yet post-Ferguson United had only managed to sit above City in the league twice after the same amount of games prior to Monday. Aside from November 23, 2013 the on other occasion occurred on August 26, 2013. Back then this was after the second game of last season as City's 3-2 defeat at Cardiff allowed United to move a point ahead of them following their 0-0 draw against Chelsea. With the Red Devils looking down on their bitter rivals once more, they'll look to extend their one point gap to four  with victory in the derby on Sunday. United have only sat above City twice  - in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era - having played the same games . The first time came in August 2013 when City lost 3-2 at Cardiff thanks to Frazier Campbell's (left) winner . United then moved a point clear of City the next day following a 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea .
Manchester United beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the Premier League on Saturday . Manchester City lost 2-1 at Crystal Palace on Monday night . Result means United sit one point ahead of City with seven games left . Two sides meet in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday . CLICK HERE for all the latest Manchester United news .