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Since their first meeting way back in 1881, the traditional rivalry between the Red Devils and their "noisy neighbours” has seen a dramatic evolution. Ever since City’s takeover by the Abu Dhabi United group, the club and its fans have experienced an upgrade in its status in the footballing world. The fixture now challenges the frenzy of the Derby della Madonnina and El Clasico.
This fixture came to life when Manchester United beat Manchester City 4-3 in 2009, courtesy of a late goal from Liverpool legend, Michael Owen. The frenzy took several leaps further when Sergio Aguero’s last minute winner against Queens Park Rangers in 2012 gave City the title at the expense of Sir Alex Ferguson’s United.
The arrival of Pep Guardiola at City in 2016 and United’s subsequent announcement of his fabled rival Jose Mourinho as head coach turned heads in the footballing cosmos.
As the two giants of English football get ready to lock horns in an encounter that could decide the fate of the Premier League, with United’s historic rivals Liverpool potentially benefitting from the result, the stakes have never been higher.
With kick-off only a little more than a day away, we look back at some of the men that have made this fixture so entertaining with their passion, quality and skill.
Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel
‘The Great Dane’ signed for United in the summer of 1991 for a paltry sum. He went on to win six Premier league titles, three FA Cup titles and a solitary UEFA Champions League title as a part of a treble.
A goalkeeper with a colossal physique, vocal ability to dictate the backline, incredible reflexes and positioning, Peter Schmeichel has an exceptional record in the derby, having never been on the losing side.
His best performance in the derby came at Maine Road in 1993, when United won 3-2. He also represented both teams in the derby when he joined City on a free transfer in 2002 and won against United.
Right-back: Gary Neville
A born and bred Mancunian, Gary Neville represented Manchester United throughout the entirety of his professional career, even captaining the team. Widely regarded as one of the best right-backs to have played in the Premier League, Neville won multiple titles at Old Trafford.
His most famous and controversial moment in the derby came in 2002, when he refused to shake hands with former teammate and friend Peter Schmeichel when the Dane started for City in goal.
Centre-back: Rio Ferdinand
Signed from fierce rivals Leeds for a British record transfer fee, Rio Ferdinand was ever present in Sir Alex’s title winning squads in defence. With his ability to win balls in the air and move it forward from the back, he was the typical ball-playing centre-back, even before the term became popular.
He played for Manchester United through both the transition phase of mid 2000s and the hat-trick of league titles that followed.
Centre-back: Vincent Kompany
The bold Belgian joined City in 2008 and was made club captain at the start of 2011-12. The club has won three Premier League titles under his leadership.
A hard tackling, no nonsense defender, Vincent Kompany uses his high octane marking to keep attackers at bay.
He scored the winner in an April 2012 Manchester derby, heading in from a corner.
Left0ack: Patrice Evra
Signed from Monaco in the winter transfer window of 2005-06, Evra had a rocky start at Old Trafford but soon started challenging Ashley Cole for the crown of the best left-back in the league.
A full back with high energy and work-rate, coupled with the ability to bombard down the flanks and also track back, Patrice Evra an indispensable member of multiple trophy-winning squads.
Central midfield: Roy Keane
A 'hard-man’ by nature, brimming with passion and inherent leadership, the Irishman has led the team out of the tunnel more than anyone else.
A winner of seven league titles and a treble, Keane made his biggest impact on this fixture and cemented his notorious disciplinary record, when he scythed down City player Alf-Inge Håland in an April 2001 derby, as payback for a tackle by the Norwegian at Elland Road in 1997, when Keane suffered a cruciate ligament injury.
Central midfield: Yaya Toure
The Ivorian signed from Barcelona in 2010 and turned out to be a game-changer in the Premier League.
Blessed with raw pace and strength, plus an eye for goal, Yaya Toure scored the solitary goal in the 2011 FA Cup semi final against United, on the way to City winning their first trophy in 35 years. Toure also played a key role in securing the league in 2012 and 2014; in the latter, he scored in both matches against United and finished with 20 league goals.
Right wing: David Silva
Arguably the best midfield signing in City’s history, David Silva signed from Valencia in 2010, and was City’s main playmaker in three title winning seasons.
He was man of the match when City beat United 6-1 at Old Trafford, arguably the most embarrassing scoreline of Sir Alex Ferguson’s managerial career. He already has 81 assists in the league, the highest for any City player.
Left wing: Ryan Giggs
The most decorated Premier League player, Ryan Giggs holds the record for the most wins in the Manchester derby as a player. Giggs scored his first official goal for the Red Devils against City in May 1991 and has scored more since.
Blessed with raw pace and dribbling ability, he was a nightmare for any fullback. Add that to his vision and passing skills, you have a deadly asset at your disposal. With a Premier League record of 13 league titles and 162 assists, Giggs is an absolute legend of the game and this fixture.
His crowning moment came in the 4-3 frenzied win in October 2009, when he registered a hat-trick of assists and was adjudged man of the match.
Striker: Wayne Rooney
The most jaw-dropping moment in the history of the Manchester derby arrived when Wayne Rooney scored an overhead volley from Nani’s cross on February 17, 2011 to win the game for United.
Rooney holds the record for the most number of goals scored in the Manchester derby by a United player (11), in addition to being the all time top scorer for United with 253 goals.
Striker: Sergio Aguero
When Martin Tyler roared “Agueroooooo”, shock waves were sent across the footballing world as Manchester City snatched the Premier League from United in the most audacious fashion. At the centre of it all was Sergio Aguero.
Signed from Atletico Madrid, Aguero has won three Premier League titles at the club. He is the club’s all time leading scorer with 229 goals and the leading scorer in the Manchester derby for City with 11 goals. There has been no other individual who has lit up this fixture the way Aguero has.
