The Manchester derby has become one of the most poignant fixtures in world football since Manchester City's rise to prominence in 2008. Following the Middle-Eastern take-over, City have become one of the great powerhouses of European football, only strengthening the rivalry between themselves, and bitter rivals Manchester United.
During that time, both clubs have managed to secure significant victories over their counterparts - with some of the biggest names stealing the headlines. But as supporters of United and City know, the Manchester derby runs much deeper and has a more colourful history than some would have you believe.
The Premier League may have only commenced in 1992, but in the late 1960s, the match was considered the ultimate title contenders’ match with the two battling it out for major honours. With a mix of today's superstars, just who is the greatest player in Manchester derby history?
Here is Sportskeeda's top five derby day players.
#5 Eric Cantona – Manchester United
A maverick, maybe. Genius, undeniably. Eric Cantona was the inspiration for United's success in the early years of the Premier League era. The French star was relatively unknown in terms of his real potential when Manchester United paid Leeds £1million for his services in November 1992 - but what a bargain it proved to be!
Cantona was the missing link as United's attacking flair flourished with Cantona in the side during those early Premier League years. During that time, his big game performances were sensational, and he regularly terrorised City's defence - scoring three times at Maine Road in three games.
Old Trafford was, however, generally the stage where Cantona left his finer and more spectacular performances for and against City he never gave Brian Horton, Alan Ball, or Peter Reid's defence a moment’s peace.
#4 Francis Lee – Manchester City
Former hero-cum Chairman, Francis Lee remains a cult hero within City folklore. For his goalscoring exploits during City's most successful ever era - 1960's and early 1970's - Lee was predominately known for his knack of scoring goals against City's bitter rivals. Lee scored ten goals against United during his eight-year stint at Maine Road and will forever be remembered as one of City's holy trinity - alongside Colin Bell and Mike Summerbee.
During the 1967/1968 season - much like the 2011/2012 season - City and United were competing for a First Division title. City pipped ahead of their bitter rivals with many thanks to Lee's goals. Not only in the final game of the season at St. James's Park, but also for his strikes against United during that decisive campaign.
Such was Lee's significance in the derby match; only Wayne Rooney has scored more derby goals than the English international.
#3 Sergio Aguero – Manchester City
Contrary to popular belief, Sergio Aguero remains one of the best big game performers ever to grace English football. The striker has scored eight goals in just ten games against City's biggest rivals.
It's not just the manner of the goals Aguero has scored against United, but the goals at the most of crucial times that has etched his name forever in the history of this fixture. Superb performances and his stunning quality of strikes are a significant factor in the Blues' recent domination after years of hurt and heartache.
Aguero was signed in 2011 for £35million and has never let City down when called upon. Within those six years, Aguero has scored not only in the league and cup, but also at Old Trafford as well as the Etihad Stadium.
Moments like the Manchester derby in April 2013 just highlight the quality of Aguero. The Argentine may be on his way out of the Etihad at the end of the season, but no striker has ever had a better goals to game ratio in the Manchester derby.
#2 Wayne Rooney – Manchester United
Love him, or loathe him. Manchester United fan, or City until you die, nobody can take anything away from Wayne Rooney's goalscoring exploits for United - especially when it comes to derbies.
The former Everton striker scored on his away Manchester derby debut in 2005 and hasn't looked back since. Now the England international holds the record for the most goals in derby games he continues to be a threat for City despite his apparent lack of form.
Rooney overtook Francis Lee in 2012 to become the contest's leading scorer and most recently became the Red Devils highest ever goalscorer. Not only has Rooney scored 11 goals for United in derbies, the player almost joined City in 2010 when he famously held talks with the club slating United's lack of ambition. However, just three months later he scored the greatest goal ever witnessed in Manchester derby history.
Would Rooney have become an even greater success in Manchester derbies if he had joined Roberto Mancini's side?
#1 Peter Schmeichel – Manchester United/Manchester City
A goalkeeper? Yes, a goalkeeper. In fact the greatest goalkeeper in Premier League history. Not only did the great Dane become the finest shot-stopper the Premier League has ever witnessed but the player also has the distinction of never losing a Manchester derby.
Schmeichel represented both United and City in derby games. Despite featuring for United against City for over five years, Schmeichel would later don the Blue colour of Manchester. When City were promoted to the Premier League in 2002, a call from then City boss Kevin Keegan convinced Schmeichel to play one final season in England's top-flight.
November 2002 saw City host United at Maine Road for the final time. Schmeichel was the goalkeeper for the Blues as City won their first derby game in thirteen years. The victory, or lack of defeat for City, meant Schmeichel retired from football with an undefeated Derby record.
For this reason, alone, the goalkeeper must be considered as the greatest derby performer of all-time.
