Ahead of another Manchester derby, it’s time to look at five of the most thrilling Manchester United and Manchester City Premier League classics.
The Manchester derby is typically one of the biggest fixtures on a Premier League calendar.
Manchester United and Manchester City are among the most successful clubs in England, and their meetings usually prove to be fierce ones, with no shortage of goals from either end.
The two clubs first met in 1881 and have since squared off on a further 187 occasions. United have recorded 77 wins in this fixture, while City have won 57 times. The remaining 53 games ended in a draw.
So ahead of the latest showdown, we give you the five biggest clashes in Manchester derby history.
Man United 1-6 Man City (October 2011)
Probably the worst day in Manchester United’s history.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men suffered an unexpected 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City at Old Trafford of all places! It was the club’s worst home defeat since 1955.
Mario Balotelli, who was under the spotlight for setting his bathroom ablaze with fireworks, scored City’s opener in the 22nd minute. However, it wasn’t until Jonny Evans’ second-half dismissal that things really got interesting.
And it was Balotelli on target again to complete an impressive brace in the Manchester derby.
Sergio Aguero later followed it up by bagging the third goal for City before substitute Edin Dzeko scored a brace and David Silva nicked a goal. Darren Fletcher’s fine effort in the final 10 minutes proved to be of little consolation for United.
Man City 2-3 Man United (April 2018)
If there was ever a time United left their neighbors gobsmacked, then it was in April 2018.
City played host to the Red Devils at the Etihad Stadium hoping to secure the Premier League title with a victory. And a first-half masterclass set them on their way, with Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gudogan putting them 2-0 up.
But Pep Guardiola’s side paid a huge price for blowing several chances later on, as United launched an unbelievable second-half comeback.
Paul Pogba took just two minutes to bag a brace before Chris Smalling’s volley sealed a 3-2 win for Jose Mourinho.
After Ashley Young nearly fouled Aguero in the area, David de Gea then pulled off a miraculous one-handed save from his ex-Atletico Madrid team-mate.
Man City 4-1 Man United (September 2013)
David Moyes, who never won a Liverpool derby in his 11 years at Everton, hoped it would be a different story in the Manchester derby.
Without his top striker Robin van Persie, however, the Scot had to endure a humiliating afternoon at City.
The Citizens simply tore apart the entire United team, with even defenders Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand powerless to stop them. Soon Aguero’s brace along with goals from Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri put the hosts into a four-goal lead.
Although Wayne Rooney’s late free-kick offered a small bit of consolation for Moyes. However, the United board sacked him seven months later following a disastrous seventh-place in the Premier League.
Man City 4-1 Man United (March 2004)
It turns out City knew how to humiliate their local rivals long before Sheikh Mansour’s takeover.
It came in the dying stages of the 2003/04 campaign, where United hoped to keep their slim hopes of retaining their Premier League crown alive. However, Robbie Fowler’s third-minute opener put City ahead.
Jon Macken then smashed home his volley into the net to put the hosts into a two-goal lead. And, while Paul Scholes’ brilliant 20-yard hit briefly gave United hope, Trevor Sinclair restored City’s advantage.
Shaun Wright-Phillips then beautifully scored the fourth goal to seal a shock defeat for Ferguson’s side.
Man United 4-3 Man City (September 2009)
Our clear number one derby classic belongs to the 4-3 thriller in the 2009/10 Premier League season.
Wayne Rooney’s second-minute opener handed the Red Devils a dream start at Old Trafford.
But Gareth Barry responded just 14 minutes later for his first City goal to level the scoreline in the first half.
Craig Bellamy later canceled out Darren Fletcher’s brace with a double of his own to seemingly seal the visitors a point. However, Michael Owen bagged a shock winner deep into stoppage-time for United.
The former Liverpool man’s effort left City manager Mark Hughes enraged. The fuming Welshman later slammed the amount of added time as the visitors lost for the first time that season.
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