This weekend’s Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium might not carry as much weight as many would have expected it to when the fixtures were released but it is still one of the most fiercely competed fixtures in the country and both sides are still in need for points.
There aren’t many people expecting a classic with both sides hardly in the prime of their form but it will be competitive as both sides are desperate for the victory; it is probably United’s last chance to force their way into contention for a top four finish.
It is also likely to be the last derby for both managers with City boss Manuel Pellegrini making way for Pep Guardiola in the summer while beleaguered United gaffer Louis van Gaal expected to be put out of his Old Trafford misery in the summer.
But there have been some classic encounters of late and here we look at five of the best Manchester derbies!
Hit the image below to see the FIVE best Manchester derbies!
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Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City- October 2011
This is one game that will remain in the memory of both sets of fans forever. City fans will happily remember it while United fans probably still have nightmares about the events of that afternoon.
It was United’s heaviest home defeat for 56 years and marked the turning of the Manchester tide with City going on the win their first Premier League title at the end of that season.
Mario Balotelli gave City a narrow half-time lead but the second half saw City dominance. Jonny Evans was sent off early in the second period but further goals from Balotelli and Aguero had City out of sight.
Darren Fletcher briefly offered United some hope before two goals from Edin Dzeko and one for David Silva made it a rout.
Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City – September 2009
This was one of the first derbies after the City takeover and when they first started their challenge towards United on the trophy front. It was certainly a classic as well with United winning it in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Wayne Rooney fired United in front early before Gareth Barry’s equaliser. The game ebbed and flowed with Darren Fletcher put United back in front but Craig Bellamy brilliantly equalised from long range only three minutes later.
Fletcher headed United back in front late on but Bellamy again brought City level just before the end of the 90 minutes. Ex-Liverpool man Michael Owen endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful, though, with his dramatic winner.
Manchester United 1-1 Manchester City- April 2001
This particular Manchester derby will forever be remembered for Roy Keane’s horror tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland. The game, itself, was an eventful affair with Steve Howey rescuing a point for City after United took the lead in the second half through Teddy Sheringham’s penalty.
But Keane stole the headlines after his horror tackle that saw him earn a straight red card and effectively finish Haaland’s career. The motivation behind the tackle was revealed later but it will always be associated with an eventful Manchester derby.
Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United- December 2012
The only one on this list that took place at the home of City. This was a topsy-turvy match that was crucial in the title race. United appeared to be coasting home when Wayne Rooney struck twice in the first half to give them a 2-0 half-time lead.
City stormed back in the second half with goals from Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta squaring things up and giving City the momentum going into the final few minutes. But United, and Robin van Persie, had other ideas as the Dutchman’s deflected free-kick in stoppage time earning United the three points.
The ending saw Rio Ferdinand struck with a coin and Joe Hart preventing a City fan from confronting the England defender and tempers threatened to boil over.
Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City- April 1974
This particular derby is remembered purely for one thing; United legend Denis Law scoring the winner for City, a result which relegated United from the top flight. United had endured a torrid campaign and came to their penultimate game of the season knowing that a City victory would see them relegated.
Law had scored 171 league goals for United during an 11-year spell and he is still regarded as a legend at Old Trafford. But he kind of endured himself to City fans as well with his back-heel winner seeing United relegated courtesy of the City win.
It is a goal that Law never said he really got over and his emotion showed at the time as he seemed like he wanted the ground to swallow him up, but all’s well that ends well, United haven’t done too badly since.
