The Manchester Derby: Red vs Sky Blue
Manchester United and Manchester City. Two teams with the highest of ambitions. As part of our series of articles about iconic Premier League rivalries, today we will be talking about this clash of modern titans of English football.
Our previous articles on the rivalries’ topic include a piece on heated moments, revisiting the best of the Liverpool vs Everton rivalry, the North London derby and the Tyne-Wear derby.
The Manchester derby is not just a local showdown; it is a spectacle that captures the attention of football fans worldwide. These two teams have a storied rivalry that has produced some of the most unforgettable moments in English football history.
As they are two of England’s biggest teams nowadays, their encounters usually come with consequences at the very top of the Premier League, as well as in cup competitions.
So what Manchester derby moments have left a mark in our memories? Read on to find out.
1. The 1993 Comeback: United’s 3-2 Victory at Maine Road
On November 7, 1993, Manchester United staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in derby history.
Trailing 2-0 at Maine Road (the home of Manchester City at the time) courtesy of two Niall Quinn goals, United’s resilience was tested. Eric Cantona was the catalyst for the turnaround, scoring one and assisting on another to bring United back into the game.
A young Roy Keane completed the comeback with a decisive goal, marking an iconic moment and setting the tone for United’s dominance of that decade.
2. 2009: The 4-3 Thriller at Old Trafford
September 20, 2009, witnessed one of the most electrifying encounters between the two clubs. The match featured a back-and-forth battle, with the lead changing hands multiple times.
Manchester City, freshly buoyed by significant investment from their new owners, showed they were ready to challenge United’s supremacy. However, it was veteran Ryan Giggs who played a pivotal role, assisting on three of United’s goals.
The climax came in dramatic fashion when Michael Owen scored the winning goal deep into injury time, sparking wild celebrations at Old Trafford.
Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City (09/10) | Premier League Classics | Manchester United
3. 2011: City’s 6-1 Rout at Old Trafford
Perhaps the most stunning result in the history of the Manchester derby occurred on October 23, 2011, when Manchester City defeated Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford.
This victory not only signified City’s emergence as a powerhouse but also was a statement of intent in their quest to win the Premier League.
Mario Balotelli famously revealed a shirt with the message “Why Always Me?” after scoring the opening goal, and Edin Dzeko capped off the scoring with two late goals. This match remains a pivotal moment in the history of both clubs.
4. 2011: Rooney’s Bicycle Kick
Earlier in the same year, on February 12, 2011, Wayne Rooney produced one of the most spectacular goals in Premier League history
In a tightly contested match at Old Trafford, Rooney’s acrobatic bicycle kick in the 78th minute sealed a 2-1 victory for United.
Wayne Rooney’s Bicycle Kick v Man City Goal | All The Angles | Manchester United
The goal not only helped United on their way to another Premier League title but also etched itself into the annals of footballing lore as a symbol of individual brilliance.
5. 2023: The Derby in the FA Cup Final
At the conclusion of the 2022-23 FA Cup campaign, two teams were left standing: Manchester City and Manchester United.
Wembley hosted the final, as usual, and saw the fastest ever goal in an FA Cup final, with Ilkay Gündoğan scoring for the Cityzens after just 12 seconds of football played. Roughly half an hour after this, Bruno Fernandes equalised for United from the penalty spot.
However, it was to be City’s trophy, as Gündoğan was at the double early in the second half to make it 2-1. Despite late pushes from the Red Devils, City hung on and won the FA Cup for the seventh time in their history.
Conclusion
These five moments are more than just highlights in a football match; they are significant chapters in the narrative of one of football’s greatest rivalries. Each moment has its own story, contributing to the rich history and intense rivalry between Manchester United and Manchester City.
The next opportunity for tempers to flare in this clash comes in about a month’s time, as Manchester United and Manchester City come face to face again in the FA Cup final at Wembley.