Revisiting the game caused the shift in power in Manchester: The 2008 Manchester derby

One of the most famous clashes in Europe alongside the El Clasico and the Milan derby, the Manchester derby represents one of the most competitive rivalries between two clubs. There is no feeling quite like a victory against your most hated opponents.

No derby is meaningless, however in the case of the Manchester derby, it used to be solely dominated by Manchester United. During the early Premier League era, Manchester City used to make up the numbers, dealing with the occasional relegation to, at most, midtable mediocrity.

On the other hand, their red neighbours, under the leadership of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, claimed title after title.

On the eve of one of the biggest clashes of the 2017-18 Premier League season, we look back at one game in particular from the pre-Mansour era which would become the centre stage for the Blue Moon uprising.

Everything was about to change on a fateful Sunday afternoon clash between the two hated rivals in the spring of 2008. The Citizens had already beaten the hosts 1-0 at the Etihad in the first league derby of the season.

10th February 2008, the defining derby day, coming just four days after the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster; it was the blue side of Manchester whose future was going to change forever. The match was preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of the Busby Babes and both teams wore special kits for the occasion. While United wore a kit similar to that worn by the 1958 team devoid of sponsors and logos, the Citizens wore a kit devoid of sponsor logos, with a black ribbon embroidered on the right shoulder.

That was as good a show of friendship as it was going to get for the rest of the day. The real battle lay ahead.

United had the likes of Ferdinand, Vidic and van der Saar in the team

Going into the game, the Red Devils were in 2nd place just two points behind Arsenal while their neighbours were struggling in midtable without a win in four. United, led by the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Carlos Tevez (future Manchester City captain) and a rampaging Cristiano Ronaldo in his prime, looked in no mood to spare the Citizens. However, on a day that was supposed to be about the red side of Manchester, it was the blue side that intended to rewrite the script.

In the 24th minute of the match, Martin Petrov’s defence-splitting pass found Stephen Ireland whose poked shot was blocked by an onrushing van der Saar, however, the ball only fell to Darius Vassell who put the away side in front on his second attempt. A scrappy goal, but City couldn’t care less. It seemed United were affected by the magnitude of the occasion while City became more disciplined defensively thereafter.

They duly got their reward for the defensive resilience they showed as, on the stroke of halftime, Petrov’s accurate cross from the right wing was headed in by debutant Benjani. The Blues were ecstatic as they led 2-0 at halftime.

Benjani scored the winner

After the interval, the Blues soaked up United’s onslaught and tried to hit them on the break. Micah Richards, City’s most promising academy star since Shaun Wright-Phillips, along with the calm Richard Dunne was immense during the second half, preventing United’s attack from having a sniff at goal.

In the 90th minute, Michael Carrick got a consolation goal but it was too little too late for United, meaning the Citizens had held on for a 2-1 win at Old Trafford. City had beaten United at home in a league match for the first time since 1974 and completed their first league double over their neighbours since the 1969-70 season.

Although United went on to become champions that season and City finished only 9th, the belief they got from defeating their more illustrious counterparts caught the world’s attention. The following season, Manchester City's fortunes changed as Abu Dhabi United Group completed their takeover.

Since that eventful day at Old Trafford, a number of superstars have graced the blue side of Manchester with the likes of Sergio Aguero and David Silva becoming club legends, currently being managed by one of the best managers in the world, Pep Guardiola.

It sometimes takes just one match to change the fortunes of a club.