Not many big names have played for both Manchester United and City, but some have been brave enough to cross that great divide.
Ahead of the latest clash between the fierce rivals, we take a look at the most high-profile of those controversial moves:
Denis Law
1. DENIS LAW
The King first featured for City following a move from Huddersfield and then spent a season at Torino before United signed him for a British transfer record fee of £115,000 in 1962. The Scot spent 11 seasons at Old Trafford, scoring 237 goals in 404 appearances, helping them to secure two title triumphs and a European Cup success, although he did miss that final through injury.
After being given a free transfer by Tommy Docherty in 1973, Law re-signed for City and famously scored with a backheel on derby day, but refused to celebrate as United suffered relegation.
Carlos Tevez
2. CARLOS TEVEZ
After joining from West Ham, the Argentine won the Premier League twice with United and scored five goals in a Champions League-winning campaign.
However, the ownership rights to Tevez had always been complicated, and he rejected a long-term contract in favour of signing for neighbours City, who famously erected a ‘Welcome to Manchester’ billboard in the city centre. FA Cup and Premier League success followed during his time with the Blues.
Brian Kidd
3. BRIAN KIDD
Having come through the youth ranks at United, Kidd celebrated his 19th birthday by scoring the third goal in their 4-1 extra-time victory over Benfica in the 1968 European Cup final.
However, after the Red Devils went down in 1974, he had a couple of seasons at Arsenal before signing for City in 1976, netting 44 goals in 98 appearances, including three goals against United during the 1977-78 campaign. The local hero also had successful spells as assistant manager at both United and City.
Peter Schmeichel
4. PETER SCHMEICHEL
Widely regarded as one of the world's best ever goalkeepers, the great Dane spent a trophy-laden eight seasons with United between 1991-99, leaving on a high after the Treble-winning campaign, his final match coming against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, where he was named captain in the absence of Roy Keane.
After stints with Sporting Lisbon and Aston Villa, he ended his career with a single season at City in 2002-03. The Blues were unbeaten against United that season, which ensured Schmeichel was never on the losing side in a Manchester derby.
Andy Cole
5. ANDY COLE
The former Newcastle striker’s 93 goals in 195 appearances between 1995-2001 helped the Red Devils win five Premier League titles, the Champions League and two FA Cups.
After falling behind Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the pecking order, Cole moved to Blackburn and Fulham before in 2005, switching to City, where he scored nine goals in 22 appearances, only for injury to end his season in mid-February.
Peter Barnes
6. PETER BARNES
Most players on this list had their peak years with United, but wing wizard Barnes was a cult hero at City after making his league debut aged 17 in October 1974. He scored in the 1976 League Cup final win over Newcastle and was named PFA Young Player of the Year before switching to West Brom in a big-money move three years later.
After further spells with Leeds, Real Betis and Coventry, he joined United in 1985 and enjoyed a brief resurgence under former Albion boss Ron Atkinson, but injuries hit, and he later returned to City.
Sammy McIlroy
7. SAMMY McILROY
The Northern Irishman had the honour of being Sir Matt Busby's final signing and spent 13 seasons with United between 1969-82, scoring 57 goals in 342 appearances. He helped the Red Devils return to the top flight and was at the heart of midfield in a 1977 FA Cup final victory against Liverpool.
Following four years with Stoke, McIlroy moved to City on a free transfer and spent one full season at Maine Road.
Andrei Kanchelskis
8. ANDREI KANCHELSKIS
Earned a place in United folklore by scoring a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory over City in the 1994-95 season, and the flying winger spent five years at Old Trafford, scoring 48 league goals in 145 appearances in all competitions.
The emergence of David Beckham forced Kanchelskis to move on, and spells with Everton, Fiorentina, and Rangers followed before he spent a season on loan at City, making 10 appearances and scoring once in an FA Cup tie against Liverpool.
Owen Hargreaves
9. OWEN HARGREAVES
Won the 2009 Champions League and the Premier League in his second season with United, but injuries marred his four-year spell at Old Trafford and limited the midfielder to only 27 appearances.
He offered to play for United for free in the 2011-12 season, but was released and signed for City, where he made just four appearances in all competitions, only one of which came in the Premier League. However, he did get to celebrate on the pitch after City’s thrilling title-winning match against QPR.
John Gidman
10. JOHN GIDMAN
After establishing himself as an attacking full-back with Aston Villa and Everton, the once-capped England international was Atkinson's first signing at United in 1981, and he went on to help the club win the 1985 FA Cup.
Gidman made 123 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions before spending two seasons at City, during which time they were relegated to the old second division.
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