The 189th Manchester derby takes place this weekend, when Manchester United host fierce rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford.
It’s a game that always provides excitement and entertainment, and we’re taking a look at some of the best Manchester derbies in the 21st century, with some cracking meetings over the years.
5. Louis van Gaal’s First Derby Win: United 4-2 City, 2015
This 4-2 victory for Louis van Gaal’s United side was a big one in various ways, other than being LVG’s first derby win it was also a big step in the right direction of seeking Champions League football the following season.
The win meant that United (3rd) went four points clear of City who were in fourth place, and it was also the Red Devils’ first derby home win since 2011.
City made a blistering start through Sergio Aguero’s 100th goal for the club, as the Citizens attempted to recover from three straight losses on the road. However, it all went down hill after that, with Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini scoring goals to put United ahead going into half time.
From there on, Van Gaal’s side never looked like surrendering their lead, and further goals from Juan Mata and Chris Smalling put them well on their way to securing all three points, leading 4-1 with just under 20 minutes to go. Aguero managed to get another late on, however it was nothing but a consolation as City fell to their sixth defeat in eight games.
4. Pogba Magic Secures Comeback For United: City 2-3 United, 2018
Going into this one, City were 13 points clear of United with six games remaining, and needed to beat their noisy neighbours to secure the Premier League title, with five games to spare. However, Jose Mourinho and his side had other ideas, and were desperate to avoid that scenario.
Saying that, the game game got off to the worst possible start for United, with Pep Guardiola’s men producing a first-half masterclass to hold a comfortable 2-0 lead at half time. Goals from captain Vincent Kompany and a clever finish from Ilkay Gundogan put the Citizens on course to securing the title.
Mourinho’s team responded in the perfect way, and produced a miraculous comeback initiated by Paul Pogba, who scored two goals in two minutes, and United were level within ten minutes of the second half.
The away side eventually completed their remarkable comeback on the 69th minute when Chris Smalling got in on the act and steered an Alexis Sanchez free-kick home to win the game for United.
*Spine-tingling*#OnThisDay last year… #MUFC pic.twitter.com/fREEcIpgkW
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 7, 2019
3. United Embarrassed On Home Turf: United 1-6 City, 2011
This showdown at Old Trafford was one of the most famous Manchester derbies in recent years, and Mario Balotelli put City 1-0 up after 22 minutes, lifting up his shirt after scoring revealing a message on his undershirt that said “Why Always Me”, in reference to several stories in the media surrounding him in the lead up to the game.
City led 1-0 at half time, and immediately after the second half kicked off, things went from bad to worse as Jonny Evans was sent off for United after a foul on Balotelli. The Italian striker then scored his second of the game and put City into a comfortable 2-0 lead on the hour mark.
Sergio Aguero quickly made it three shortly after. Darren Fletcher did get the hosts onto the score sheet with 9 minutes to spare, however City kicked on and scored three late goals to complete the demolition, with Dzeko scoring two, and assisting David Silva for the other.
It was a truly embarrassing day for all of the red side of Manchester. However it was a game that really showed the world what City were about as they went on that season to win their first ever Premier League title, and was a fitting occasion for Roberto Mancini’s 100th game in charge for the Citizens.
An 𝘂𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 Manchester derby 🤩#OnThisDay in 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣1️⃣, @ManCity stormed to victory at Old Trafford 🌟 pic.twitter.com/amSffr7Jkv
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 23, 2020
2. Owen Late Strike Sinks City: United 4-3 City, 2009
There was lots of build up to this game, with managers of both sides Alex Ferguson and Mark Hughes engaging in a bitter war of words through the media in an attempt to undermine one another, with fireworks expected on the day.
The match itself was deemed one of the best derbies ever by Sir Alex after the game, and Wayne Rooney opened the scoring early on putting United 1-0 up, and Gareth Barry equalised for City. Then two goals each from United’s Darren Fletcher, and City’s Craig Bellamy made the score 3-3 going into injury time.
With four minutes added on after an enthralling 90 minutes, veteran Michael Owen controversially scored in the 96th minute of time to win the game for the Red Devils, sending Old Trafford into oblivion.
It was the first of four meetings that season, which included a two-legged League Cup semi-final, and United came out on top in three of the four occasions, scoring an injury time winner each time.
WHAT. A. GAME.#OnThisDay in 2009, @themichaelowen scored a late, late winner for @ManUtd against @ManCity 😲
Greatest Manchester derby in #PL history? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/NlTRiUGCMg
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 20, 2019
1. Haaland And Foden Hat-Tricks Haunt United: City 6-3 United, 2022
Coming in at number 1, and the memorable one of them all is also the most recent Manchester derby, where Erling Haaland became the first player to score three successive Premier League home hat-tricks as United were Humiliated at the Etihad.
City got off to a lightening start, when Phil Foden scored his first of the game after eight minutes, before Haaland’s rampant start to the season continued as he made it a stunning 17 goals in 11 starts, heading home on the 34th minute, and he soon added another just three minutes later. Foden then scored again on just a minute before the break putting the Citizens 4-0 up going into half-time.
United responded well in the second half , and new signing Antony made it 4-1 with a terrific goal from distance to pull one back, however this only added fuel to the fire, with City upping the tempo once again, and another goal from Haaland and then Foden put the hosts 6-1 up to each complete their hat-tricks, repeating a scoreline from that famous day back in 2011.
However, United didn’t entirely go down without a fight, and Anthony Marital scored two late consolation goals including a penalty to finish end the game with a scoreline of 6-3.
Manchester is blue! 💙
Highlights of our derby day victory 👇 pic.twitter.com/35EvD9Wzyi
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 2, 2022
Do You Already Have Accounts With The Main Bookies? See Below 10 Up-And-Coming Bookmakers With Top Free Bets And Offers
See below our select list of some of the newer bookies around – but totally trusted bookmakers, that will also have prices ahead of the football today – best of all they ALL also have ‘must-see’ free bet sign-up offers to snap-up. Or, if you’ve already claimed these betting offers – you can check out all the latest best football betting sites here.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
