The Manchester derby is one of the most intense and fiercest rivalries that English football has to offer.
Over the years, a number of star players have featured in the Manchester derby as the blue and red half of the city go toe-to-toe for local bragging rights.
Stunning goals, questionable tackles and drama-laden incidents are all common traits of the derby. In layman’s terms, Manchester City vs Manchester United is one of the most exciting fixtures on the calendar.
Since City were taken over by the Abu Dhabi Group in 2008, the derby itself has intensified further. United used to dominate their neighbours.
However, the Cityzens have proven to be more than just ‘noisy neighbours’ in recent times. Here at SportsLens, we take a look back at ten classic Premier League encounters between the two foes.
Manchester Derby Classic Encounters
Manchester United 5-0 Manchester City (1994)
Back in 1994, Manchester United recorded their biggest ever Premier League victory in the derby when they thrashed their rivals 5-0 at Old Trafford. Andrei Kanchelskis helped himself to a hat-trick.
It was the first treble recorded in the Manchester derby since the league’s reformation. Mark Hughes and Eric Cantona also got their names on the scoresheet.
United would go on to win the reverse fixture 3-0 at Maine Road in 1995. At the end of the season, the Red Devils finished runners-up with City placing in 17th position.
Manchester United 1-1 Manchester City (2001)
One of the most iconic moments in the Manchester derby during the Premier League era occurred during the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in 2001.
The game itself wasn’t much to write home about. Teddy Sheringham gave the hosts the lead with Steve Howey equalising late on.
However, it was Roy Keane‘s horror tackle on Alf Inge Haaland that still lives long in the memory. The Irishman insisted he didn’t regret the knee-buster one little bit after Haaland accused Keane of faking an injury at Leeds four years earlier.
Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United (2002)
Shaun Goater was the star of the show as he netted twice to give Manchester City their first Premier League win against their rivals. Nicolas Anelka bagged the other.
It was a huge day for the blue half of the city as they finally got the better of Manchester United at what was the 11th attempt. Maine Road was jumping come the full-time whistle.
Ironically, it was the very last time the iconic stadium would play host to the derby. It really was a fitting end for the City faithful to get one over their rivals.
Manchester City 4-1 Manchester United (2004)
The first ever Premier League clash at the City of Manchester Stadium (Etihad Stadium) ended in a resounding victory for the home side. It was also Cristiano Ronaldo‘s first start in the derby.
Portugal’s greatest-ever player was no match for the likes of Jon Macken, Michael Tarnat, Antoine Sibierski, Trevor Sinclair and Shaun-Wright Phillips.
In fact, Macken, Sinclair, Wright-Phillips and Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler all got themselves on the scoresheet that day. Paul Scholes’ effort proved to be a scant consolation for Manchester United.
Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City (2009)
Arguably the greatest ever Manchester derby came at the start of the 2009/10 Premier League season. This classic encounter had the lot.
Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney opened the scoring after two minutes before Gareth Barry equalised for the visitors. Darren Fletcher restored United’s lead just after half-time.
Craig Bellamy scored a superb equaliser before Fletcher put the Red Devils ahead for the third time. It was then left to Bellamy to score again with 90 minutes on the clock. There was still time for Michael Owen to score the winner to send the Old Trafford faithful into delirium.
Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City (2011)
Wayne Rooney scored some unbelievable goals during his career. His best surely has to be his acrobatic stunner in the 2010/11 Premier League season.
With the score locked in at 1-1, Rooney took it upon himself to single-handedly win the Manchester derby with one of the greatest goals ever scored.
Nani’s cross from the right took a slight deflection before Rooney threw himself into the air and netted his famous bicycle kick with aplomb. Take. A. Bow.
Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City (2011)
During Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign at Manchester United, the Red Devils rarely lost on home soil. Even more so, once in a blue moon would they get walloped so badly in front of their own fans.
Step up rivals Manchester City. They caused one of the most damaging defeats to the Red Devils in their entire history during the 2011/12 Premier League season.
Mario Ballotelli scored twice, revealing his ‘Why Always Me?’ t-shirt. Edin Dzeko (2), Sergio Aguero and David Silva also scored to give Roberto Mancini’s side a demolition derby day win.
Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United (2012)
Vincent Kompany wrote himself into Manchester City folklore when his powerful header secured a famous 1-0 derby day win in 2012. The goal essentially won City the title that season.
After the 6-1 humiliation earlier on in the campaign, Manchester United set out to thwart and frustrate their rivals. Their efforts weren’t enough as Kompany’s header proved the difference.
One of the most famous Premier League title races went all the way down to the last few seconds of the 2011/12 season. Didn’t someone called Sergio Aguero play a role in where the trophy would actually end up?
Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United (2012)
Sir Alex Ferguson’s last Manchester derby at the home of their great rivals turned out to be a truly memorable occasion for the Scottish legend.
Manchester United took a 2-0 lead at the Etihad Stadium thanks to a Wayne Rooney brace in the first-half. However, Manchester City fought back and levelled the game with goals Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta.
In the final minute of the topsy-turvy encounter, summer-signing Robin van Persie scored from a free-kick to give the Red Devils all three points.
Manchester City 6-3 Manchester United (2022)
It’s not everyday that you see a player score a hat-trick on their Manchester derby debut but then again, Erling Haaland is just built differently.
The Norwegian superstar netted his treble in just over an hour of Manchester City’s 6-3 win against their greatest rivals. England star Phil Foden also hit Manchester United for three.
Antony scored for the visitors before a late Anthony Martial brace put the tiniest bit of respect on the scoreline but United were well and truly humbled.
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