Manchester United v Manchester City: Top 5 Manchester derby moments in recent memory
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A look back at the fixture’s most historic moments
The Manchester derby. A game that’s never short of drama. A game that often tears the formbook to shreds.
The pair meet at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon with ManchesterUnited looking to complete the double over their rivals.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are back in the top-four race followingan upturn in form while Manchester City are languishing in second, with thetitle race virtually done and dusted.
Ahead of kick-off at 16:30 on Sunday 8th March, we take atrip down memory lane to revisit some of the fixture’s most memorable moments.
Rooney’s bicycle kick – February 2011
An obvious place to start, really. Arguably the most iconicgoal in the fixture’s history, Wayne Rooney cemented his place as an Old Traffordhero with his acrobatic winner back in 2011.
Tension was high in a cagey battle and with the score lockedat 1-1, there was a feeling that a moment of magic was needed to separate thesides. And boy did Rooney deliver.
A hopeful cross from Nani was met by a flying Rooney, whoseemed to hang in the air for an age, and a helpless Joe Hart could only watchas the ball arrowed into the top corner.
Did he shin it? Maybe. Does it matter? Absolutely not.
Why always me? – October 2011
Picture the scene. United are champions. They’ve lost onceat home to City in 37 years. Their neighbours are coming to Old Trafford. Therecan only be one winner, right? Guess again.
In one of the most shocking results in Premier Leaguehistory, Roberto Mancini embarrassed Sir Alex Ferguson as his side romped to a6-1 win.
Just a day after Mario Balotelli had dominated headlines forsetting his house alight with fireworks, the Italian was centre of attentiononce again as he opened the scoring before revealing an undershirt asking ‘Whyalways me?’
Five second-half goals from a ruthless City compoundedUnited’s misery and the result was the first suggestion that their dominance inManchester, and in English football, could be coming to an end.
Noisy neighbours – April 2012
Fast forward six months, United are still licking theirwounds as they cross the city for the return fixture. The pair are locked in abattle for the title, with Ferguson’s side just three points clear with threegames to play.
A cautious affair was settled in first-half stoppage time ascaptain fantastic Vincent Kompany rose highest to head home the winner, puttingCity within touching distance of their maiden Premier League title as theyleapfrogged United into top spot on goal difference.
And the battle went right to the wire. United won both theirremaining games and could only watch in hope as City struggled to break down aresilient Queens Park Rangers on the final day. But with seconds to go, theyhad their Agueroooooo moment and the rest is history.
Owen’s late winner – September 2009
After spending decades in United’s shadow, City were in themoney and they pulled off a coup in the summer by convincing Carlos Tevez to switchallegiances from red to blue.
Following the game, Ferguson described it as the best derbyof all time and it’s not hard to see why. End to end action resulted in CraigBellamy scoring a dramatic equaliser in the 90th minute to make it 3-3.
Both sides were probably happy to settle for a point afteran exhausting afternoon but Ryan Giggs had other ideas. The Welshman expertlyplayed Michael Owen through in the 96th minute and the striker made no mistake,firing home the winner and sending Old Trafford into chaos.
Party poopers – April 2018
While this moment meant little in the grand scheme of thingsas City went on to win the league, United had a point to prove as they showedthey were no pushovers.
After a dominant season and just one league defeat, victoryfor Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad would have sealed the title. And itlooked to be on as they raced into a 2-0 first-half lead.
But buoyed by the prospect of spoiling City’s party, JoseMourinho’s side returned with a vengeance after the break. Two quickfire goalsfrom Paul Pogba were followed by a winner from Chris Smalling, postponingGuardiola’s celebrations and clinching bragging rights, if only temporarily.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
