10 memorable Manchester derby moments

Which half of Manchester will come out on top this weekend?

The first Manchester derby of the 2016-17 kicks off this Saturday at 5pm (IST) at Old Trafford and the rivalry has been turned up a notch this season. Both Mancunian clubs have had an intense rivalry over the years, but this year the rivalry is even more personal with both managers’ dislike for each other

Manchester City’s new boss Pep Guardiola knows all about United’s boss Jose Mourinho and know each other’s tactics, mind games and they both don’t shy away from calling each other out either.

With an exciting derby coming up – the 172nd playing of this fixture, it’s time to look at some of the derby’s most memorable moments down the years:


#1 Denis Law sends United to the second tier (1974)

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‘The King’ or ‘The Lawman’ as United supporters fondly called him, scored 237 goals for the club in 11 years and was one of the ‘United Trinity’ alongside Charlton and George Best. Law is Manchester United’s third highest scorer after Sir Bobby Charlton and Wayne Rooney.

Imagine the consternation of United fans, when after over a decade, he moved to their rivals across town, Manchester City.

It was April 1974, United was set to face City in their final league match of the season with the possibility of relegation looming over their heads. Despite a continuous onslaught by the Red Devils, City’s defence remained firm.

In the last gasps of the game, Law, a United legend, scored with a backheel from six yards out in the 81st minute and plunged his former team into the second division. Law refused to celebrate as he was embraced by his teammates.

If that wasn’t all, United fans invaded the pitch in a fruitless effort to get the match disqualified. United was relegated to the second division after 38 years and Law never played a league match again.

United, however, would have been relegated even if they had won, as other results went against them.

#2 When United fans wanted Ferguson sacked (1989)

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Back in 1989, when United visited City at Maine Road in September, the red half of the city was hardly expecting a major drubbing. But that's what they got. In all of 35 minutes, Barry Oldfield, Trevor Morley, and Ian Bishop put Manchester City ahead by three goals.

The second half was to bring more grief as Barry Oldfield scored his second goal of the night. Andy Hinchcliffe made it five before Mark Hughes provided some consolation by scoring a stunning goal for the Reds.

United fans were incensed that night, some even going to the extent of calling for Ferguson to be sacked. The match triggered off a season of anti-Ferguson campaigning but his job was saved when they managed to clinch the FA Cup that year.

#3 Enter Ryan Giggs (1991)

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Ryan Giggs will be absent from a Manchester derby for the first time in 25 years. But in 1991, when he was just 17, he started his first game at United. The fact that it was against their rivals Manchester City made it all the more special.

The young Giggs scored the only goal of the game in the 22nd minute and ensured victory for his team. It was his first senior goal and it came at the expense of their longstanding enemies.

However, the goal was given as an own goal as it had deflected off Manchester CIty’s Colin Hendry.

#4 When United scored five (1994)

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The 1994-95 Premier League season wasn’t a good one for the Red Devils. After narrowly losing out on two domestic trophies, their only consolation was beating Manchester City 5-0 at Old Trafford that year.

Eric Cantona and Mark Hughes were on the scoresheet that night, with a goal each but it was their Ukrainian winger, Andrei Kanchelskis, who sealed the deal with a brilliant hat-trick.

The victory was especially sweet as it came at the back of a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League.

Their humiliating defeated was cause for much joy among City fans, many going to the extent of buying Barcelona jerseys. The 5-0 defeat inflicted by United was their biggest victory in the Manchester derby.

#5 Keano’s Wrath (2001)

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It was yet another infamous Manchester derby in April 2001. Roy Keane, probably the most intimidating midfielder of his time, got himself sent off for aiming a knee-high kick at Alf-Inge Håland in the 85th minute.

Supporters were horrified as many believed he had committed the foul as an act of revenge. Three years prior to this incident, when Håland was a Leeds player, he had taken Keane down causing a ligament injury and gone on to insinuate that the United man had faked his pain.

A year after the derby incident, when Keane released his autobiography, the repercussions of that night were to continue. He confirmed his premeditated intent to bring down Håland because of what he had done to Keane.

The FA reacted strongly imposing additional bans and fines to the ones from the year before.

#6 ‘Feed the Goat’ cheered the City fans (2002)

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In November 2002, Manchester City was playing their last derby at the Maine Road stadium since they were about to move base to the City of Manchester Stadium (currently named Etihad Stadium) in 2003 and Shaun Goater made it one to remember for the City faithful.

Nicolas Anelka, scored the first goal of the game after a fumbling mistake by United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez. Even though Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was quick to equalise, the Red Devils failed to capitalise.

The two Neville brothers were largely responsible for a brilliant brace scored by Shaun Goater that night. For his first, it was Gary Neville’s careless pass that gave Goater the first goal and a loss of possession from Phil Neville set Goater up for his second of the night and 100th for Manchester City.

In their final game at Maine Road, City won 3-1 and the chant “Feed the Goat and he will score” rang through the stadium.

#7 United’s undoing (2004)

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By March 2004, City had moved into their new City of Manchester Stadium and they were ready to host their rivals for the first time. Even though United was in a battle with Arsenal for the top spot and City were barely holding themselves above the relegation zone, the conclusion to the night was very unexpected.

City must have been in a celebratory mood as they pulled off a 4-1 victory over their rivals.

Robbie Fowler netted the first goal of the night as early as the third minute. The second goal also went City’s way after Jon Macken found the back of the net with a volley.

While a goal by Paul Scholes from 20 yards out might have given United supporters some hope, a second half goal each from Trevor Sinclair and Shaun Wright-Phillips ensured United were done for the night.

#8 Owen’s moment of glory for United (2009)

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Sir Alex Ferguson himself called the Manchester derby played on 20 September 2009 "probably ... the best derby of all time". Fergie had very good reason to think so. It was a thrilling match where both teams stayed on par with each other the whole game.

Neither team was willing to give up without a fight, so when the match was at 3-3 inside injury time, it seemed like a worthy end. But Michael Owen wasn’t going to have it.

Wayne Rooney gave United an early lead which was neutralised by Gareth Barry’s goal. Thereafter, both Darren Fletcher and Craig Bellamy scored two each for their respective teams.

But it was Owen who was the hero of the night, for United supporters at least. He scored the winning goal in the 96th minute, clinching a memorable last minute win for the Red Devils.

#9 Rooney on his bicycle (2011)

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It was quite possibly the goal that won Manchester United the Premier League title that season. After Nani’s goal in the first half, David Silva gave City supporters hope of a point after he equalised. It was a tight game that showed no signs of opening up.

It was Wayne Rooney who rose to the occasion and not only made a memorable Manchester derby moment but scored one of the best goals of the Premier League.

After failed attempts to pierce through the City midfield, Nani sent a searching cross to Wayne Rooney who was hovering near the penalty spot. What followed will always be remembered as a defining moment in Rooney’s career.

He swung his body around to receive the cross and converted it into a daring overhead kick that flew into the goal. The unbelievable goal sealed the deal for the Red Devils that night and helped them on their way to the League title.

#10 Why always him? (2011)

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In October 2011, Manchester City thoroughly routed their rivals from across town 6-1 at Old Trafford inflicting on them their worst home defeat since 1955. Mario Balotelli opened the scoring for the Citizens after making headlines that week for setting off fireworks in his house.

He scored City’s second goal after half-time which sent the men in blue on their way. While many United fans would like to point out they were a man down after Johnny Evans’s sending off, United never seemed a threat to City.

That night, Sergio Aguero and David Silva scored a goal each and Edin Dzeko scored a brace making it a total of six goals for City that night. Darren Fletcher’s goal for United was hardly any consolation.

This enormous win over United gave City a definite edge in terms of goal difference which helped them win the Premier League title that season. However, the most memorable part of that night was Balotelli’s histrionics after his second goal.

He lifted his shirt to reveal a t-shirt inside with the words “Why always me?” referring to his ability to dominate headlines. Little did he know, his act of good-humoured defiance would help generate thousands of memes and trolls later.

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Edited by Staff Editor