Ahead of this season's first meeting between City and United at Etihad Stadium, we're taking a look back at 10 of the best Manchester derbies.
To keep things fair, we've picked out five memorable triumphs for the Blues and the same number of victories for the Red Devils.
Man City vs Man Utd - May 2024
Man City 1 Man Utd 2, May 2024
Pep Guardiola's all-conquering side had won the first-ever FA Cup final meeting between these arch rivals 12 months earlier and cruised to victory in two subsequent Premier League encounters by an aggregate score of 6-1. However, strange results are always possible in the world's oldest knockout competition, and the red half of Wembley went wild as Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo put United in control at half-time. Jeremy Doku pulled one back late on to set up a tense finish, but United held out to lift the trophy.
Man City vs Man Utd - October 2022
Man City 6 Man Utd 3, October 2022
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both hit hat-tricks as City humiliated United at Etihad Stadium, leading 4-0 at half-time. Guardiola later insisted the lead could have been even larger at that point, and United fans must have feared total embarrassment when trailing 6-1 with just under 20 minutes left to play. At least Anthony Martial managed a late brace to add to Antony's strike in the highest-scoring Manchester derby.
Man Utd vs Man City - April 2015
Man Utd 4 Man City 2, April 2015
City had dominated in the early 2010s, and United were without a win against their rivals since December 2012, losing the last four meetings. City got off to a strong start when Sergio Aguero put them ahead eight minutes in, but the lead was quickly erased when Ashley Young equalised. Marouane Fellaini scored a second for United to go in front before Juan Mata and Chris Smalling both got themselves on the scoresheet. Aguero grabbed a consolation with a minute to go, but it was too little too late as United broke their derby drought.
Man Utd vs Man City - October 2011
Man Utd 1 Man City 6, October 2011
Mario Balotelli dominated the headlines coming into this fixture following reports that a firework had been set off in his house. The City forward made sparks fly on the pitch by putting the visitors in front, then lifted his shirt to reveal a T-shirt displaying the words: “Why Always Me?”. United defender Jonny Evans was shown a straight red card two minutes into the second half before Balotelli and Sergio Aguero extended City’s lead. Fletcher pulled one back for United nine minutes from time, but a quick brace from Edin Dzeko and a goal from David Silva completed a jubilant afternoon for City.
Man Utd vs Man City - February 2011
Man Utd 2 Man City 1, February 2011
This meeting may not be one of the most high-scoring affairs to have been played out in this fixture’s history, but it is fondly remembered for one of the best Premier League goals ever seen. Nani opened the scoring for United just before half-time, but David Silva soon found an equaliser for City. Wayne Rooney then won it for the hosts with an outrageous bicycle kick that left goalkeeper Joe Hart rooted to the spot as the ball flew into the top corner.
Man Utd vs Man City - September 2009
Man Utd 4 Man City 3, September 2009
Arguably one of the greatest Manchester derbies, the build-up to the game saw City boast a whole host of summer signings, including former United striker Carlos Tevez. City showed their resilience to keep bringing the score level when Gareth Barry equalised following Wayne Rooney’s opener, before Darren Fletcher’s brace was cancelled out by two goals from Craig Bellamy. Bellamy’s second came in the final minute of normal time and looked to have rescued a point, but Michael Owen scored at the end to snatch all three points for the Red Devils.
Man City vs Man Utd - November 2002
Man City 3 Man Utd 1, November 2002
Tensions were running high going into the final derby at Maine Road after City had ended a long losing run against United with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, which featured Roy Keane being red-carded for a horror challenge on Alf-Inge Haaland. Nicolas Anelka and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer exchanged early goals in this contest before the time came to 'feed the Goat'. Fan favourite Shaun Goater rose to the occasion with an opportunist brace, robbing Gary Neville for his first and then deftly beating Fabien Barthez again with his 100th City strike.
Man Utd vs Man City - November 1994
Man Utd 5 Man City 0, November 1994
A dominant display from the Red Devils saw misery piled on their local rivals with a rout at Old Trafford. Eric Cantona opened the scoring, before Andrei Kanchelskis netted a hat-trick and Mark Hughes also got himself on the scoresheet. This demolition derby featured early on in a record run of eight consecutive wins for United.
Man City vs Man Utd - September 1989
Man City 5 Man Utd 1, September 1989
City had been out of the top flight for two seasons but celebrated their return to the big time with an incredible mauling of United at Maine Road. David Oldfield and Trevor Morley took advantage of early defensive errors, and Ian Bishop bagged a third before Mark Hughes responded with a brilliant volley. Any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Oldfield netted again and Andy Hinchcliffe capped off a brilliant City move for the fifth. It was a win to savour for the Blues, who subsequently went 16 derbies without success.
Man Utd vs Man City - April 1974
Man Utd 0 Man City 1, April 1974
The iconic image of Denis Law refusing to celebrate his late backheel will forever be etched in the memories of both sets of supporters. Law had been a legend at Old Trafford, helping them to two title triumphs and European Cup glory, but here he was effectively consigning the Red Devils to relegation. It turned out United would have gone down anyway due to results elsewhere, but an emotional Law came off immediately after his goal.
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