3 of the Most Memorable Manchester Derbies of All Time

The Manchester derby is one of football's most storied and fiercely contested rivalries, with Manchester United and Manchester City battling for supremacy on both a local and global stage. Over the years, this iconic clash has delivered unforgettable moments of brilliance, drama, and heartbreak. With another Manchester derby around the corner, we decided to reminisce about three of the most memorable clashes Manchester United and Manchester City have played out.

1) Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City (Premier League, September 2009) 

Few derbies have captured the essence of football drama quite like the seven-goal thriller at Old Trafford in 2009. This was a new era for Manchester City, fueled by Sheikh Mansour’s takeover and the arrival of marquee players like Carlos Tevez, who, in a twist of fate, had switched allegiances from United to City. The pre-match buildup was electric, with City’s newfound ambition colliding with United’s established dominance. 

The game began with a bang. United’s Wayne Rooney opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, showcasing his poacher’s instinct by pouncing on a loose ball. But City’s new star Gareth Barry equalized shortly after, capitalizing on a rare error from United goalkeeper Ben Foster. The first half ended 1-1, setting the stage for a pulsating second half. Darren Fletcher’s powerful header restored United’s lead early in the second half, only for Craig Bellamy to respond with a stunning solo goal that showcased his pace and precision. Fletcher’s second header of the game made it 3-2 to United in the 80th minute, but Bellamy wasn’t done yet. In the 90th minute, he latched onto a wayward back-pass from Rio Ferdinand and coolly slotted past Foster, seemingly securing a point for City. 

What followed was the stuff of legend. Deep into stoppage time, Ryan Giggs delivered a pinpoint pass to Michael Owen, who had come on as a substitute. Owen’s composed finish in the 96th minute sent Old Trafford into delirium and sealed a dramatic 4-3 victory for United. The match was a testament to Sir Alex Ferguson’s “never-say-die” philosophy and reaffirmed United’s dominance in Manchester, at least for the moment. The game also fueled the growing rivalry, with Ferguson famously labeling City as “noisy neighbors” who had to be kept quiet. While City were still building towards their eventual success, this match served as a reminder that United were not ready to relinquish their throne just yet. 

2) Manchester City 6-1 Manchester United (Premier League, October 2011) 

If the 2009 derby was a testament to United’s resilience, the 2011 encounter at Old Trafford was a statement of intent from Manchester City. This game marked a seismic shift in the rivalry, as City dismantled their rivals in one of the most humiliating defeats of Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure. City entered the game as early league leaders, brimming with confidence under Roberto Mancini. United, however, were reigning champions and boasted an unbeaten home record stretching over 18 months. The stage was set for an epic clash. 

Mario Balotelli opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a precise low shot that left David De Gea with no chance. Balotelli’s iconic celebration—revealing a shirt with “Why Always Me?” emblazoned on it—became an instant meme and symbol of his enigmatic personality. United’s day went from bad to worse when Jonny Evans was sent off early in the second half for hauling down Balotelli as the last man. 

With a numerical advantage, City ran riot. Balotelli doubled the lead with a tap-in before Sergio Agüero added a third, finishing off a sweeping team move. Darren Fletcher’s curling strike briefly gave United hope, but City weren’t done. In the dying minutes, substitute Edin Džeko scored twice, and David Silva added another with a delightful finish, turning the game into a rout. 

The final scoreline of 6-1 stunned the footballing world. It was United’s heaviest home defeat since 1955 and a symbolic passing of the torch in Manchester. City’s dominance that day underlined their emergence as genuine title contenders. They would go on to win the Premier League that season, famously snatching the title from United on the final day with Agüero’s dramatic last-gasp winner against QPR. 

3) Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United (Premier League, April 2018) 

This derby will forever be remembered as the day Manchester United spoiled City’s title party. Heading into the game, City were on the brink of clinching the Premier League crown with six games to spare. A win at the Etihad would not only secure the title but also rub salt in United’s wounds. However, United had other plans. City started the match in blistering form, with captain Vincent Kompany powering in a header from a corner in the 25th minute. Ilkay Gündogan’s clever turn and finish made it 2-0 shortly after, leaving United reeling. Pep Guardiola’s side dominated the first half, and it seemed like a coronation was inevitable.  

But football is a game of two halves, and United came out in the second half with renewed determination. Paul Pogba, who had faced criticism for his inconsistency, silenced his doubters with a sensational performance. In the 53rd minute, he made a late run into the box to meet Ander Herrera’s chest pass and guided the ball past Ederson. Just two minutes later, Pogba struck again, heading in Alexis Sánchez’s pinpoint cross to level the scores. 

City, rattled by United’s resurgence, struggled to regain their composure. Chris Smalling completed the comeback in the 69th minute, volleying home Sánchez’s free-kick to give United a 3-2 lead. The Etihad was stunned into silence. City pushed desperately for an equalizer, and Raheem Sterling missed two gilt-edged chances in the closing stages. When the final whistle blew, United had pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks in derby history. While City would go on to win the league, their premature title celebrations were put on hold.