The Manchester derby has grown in importance over the last decade or so, since Manchester City started winning and competing with Manchester United, after living in their neighbour’s shadows for years.
City have overtaken United in the last decade or so, and have built a strong dynasty laded with trophies.
The last decade has given us some action-packed football in the Manchester derby, leaving us with a lot of memories. Let’s take a look at the 5 most memorable Manchester derbies:
#1 Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United – November 2002
Back in 2002, Manchester City were a mid-table club, while United were winning trophies left, right and centre. The Red Devils won the league in the 2002-03 season, but their one big blip that season was the loss to their neighbours.
Playing in City’s previous stadium, Maine Road, Shaun Goater scored twice, while Nicolas Anelka netted one goal to get a memorable win against a supremely strong Manchester United side.
Incidentally, United’s current manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, netted United’s only goal of the game.
#2 Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City – September 2009
Fast forward seven years and City’s fortunes changed, thanks to the riches that their new owners brought to the side. In the game at Old Trafford in September 2009, a strong City side looked to have secured a draw thanks to a late Craig Bellamy goal.
But, there was a twist to the tale in the dying moments of the match as Michael Owen was the hero, scoring a goal to give United the win.
#3 Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City – October 2011
City got their retribution two years later at Old Trafford, when they trounced the Red Devils 6-1, in one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s most embarrassing defeats as United boss. Mario Balotelli and Edin Džeko scored two goals apiece, while Sergio Aguero and David Silva were the other two scorers.
This win proved to be significant as City won the league title for the first time in over four decades, on goal difference after the season ended level on points between the two Manchester clubs.
#4 Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United – December 2012
In the very next season, Manchester United – in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final year as the manager – got a vital victory against City.
United won 3-2, thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Robin van Persie, after Wayne Rooney’s first-half brace.
Pablo Zabaleta had scored just minutes prior to van Persie’s winner, but the Dutch striker’s free-kick gave United all three points, and the title went back to Old Trafford at the end of the season.
#5 Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United – April 2018
A few years after that famous win in 2012, United got another memorable win at the Etihad in 2018.
This time around, City had taken a two-goal lead by the 30th minute. But, a Paul Pogba-inspired Manchester United fought back and secured all three points.
Pogba scored twice after the break, and then Chris Smalling got the third to complete one of United’s most memorable comeback wins in recent history.
