Manchester United vs Manchester City - Top 5 scorers in the Manchester derby | Premier League 2021-22

There have been many prolific scorers in the Manchester derby.
There have been many prolific scorers in the Manchester derby.

Manchester United lost 2-0 to Manchester City at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday, in the 186th Manchester derby.

In the process, The Red Devils saw their four-game unbeaten league run against their city rivals come to an end. It was Manchester United's longest-such run since going eight derbies without a loss between 2008 and 2011.

Manchester City were the superior team on the night, having found their swagger back with a thumping victory in the Champions League on Wednesday.

With the win, City are now six points clear of United. On that note, here's a look at the five all-time top scorers in the history of the Manchester derby:


#5 Sir Bobby Charlton (Manchester United) - 9 goals

Sir Bobby Charlton is an all-time United legend.
Sir Bobby Charlton is an all-time United legend.

With a Manchester United career spanning 17 years, 758 games and nearly 250 goals, Sir Bobby Charlton needs no introduction. He's an all-time club legend and widely regarded as one the greatest midfielders of all time.

One of his favourite opponents during his playing days was City. They weren't a big side like they were today, but they did put up tough competition in the late 1960s and early 70s.

Charlton played in several derbies during his near two-decade tenure in the red half of Manchester, scoring nine goals.


#4 Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) - 9 goals

The irrepressible Argentine was a nightmare for Manchester United.
The irrepressible Argentine was a nightmare for Manchester United.

From one Premier League legend to another. Sergio Aguero etched his name in English top-flight folklore during a decade-long glorious tenure with City, becoming their all-time top-scorer with 260 goals in 390 games across competitions.

He was often the star attraction of the Manchester derby, taking United to the cleaners with his imperious goalscoring abilities. He ranks ahead of Charlton on this list, as he scored as many goals in the derby but in fewer games.

The Argentine ace opened his account in the famous rivalry in City's memorable 6-1 drubbing of the Red Devils at Old Trafford in 2011. Aguero never looked back after that, scoring eight more in 15 subsequent games.

#3 Francis Lee (Manchester City) - 10 goals

About nine percent of Lee's league goals came against City.
About nine percent of Lee's league goals came against City.

A forgotten English legend, Francis Lee burst onto the scene with Bolton Wanderers in 1959. Following eight glorious years there, he took his career to the next level with the Sky Blues.

He was bought in to replace Joe Hayes, and did a terrific job, scoring 112 times in the league for them in 249 games. In the process, he helped City to six titles, including one First Division and FA Cup title apiece.

Lee's record in the Manchester derby is pretty stellar. He scored ten times against United, including a famous hat-trick at Old Trafford in the 1970-71 season in a 4-1 drubbing.


#2 Joe Hayes (Manchester City) - 10 goals

Joe Hayes became the first player to hit a double-digit goal tally in the derby.
Joe Hayes became the first player to hit a double-digit goal tally in the derby.

Before Lee, Joe Hayes held the all-time record in the Manchester derby. It isn't surprising, considering he's City's fifth-highest scorer in history with 152 goals.

During his 12 years at the club, Hayes lifted the FA Cup title in 1956. But his imperious scoring ability and consistency on the pitch made him a bonafide star of the sport.

He, too, scored ten goals in the Manchester derby, a record that stood for nearly six decades.


#1 Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) - 11 goals

Remember this strike from Wayne Rooney?
Remember this strike from Wayne Rooney?

Who else could it have been? Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney is the club's record goalscorer, and is widely hailed as one of the greatest strikers of his generation.

He was a clutch player, always turning up in the big moments for The Red Devils, including the Manchester derby, where he scored 11 times in 25 games. The former England international surpassed Hayes and Lee with a sensational free-kick against City in September 2013.

However, the game ended in a 4-1 defeat for United. Wayne Rooney's finest-ever goal, both in the derby and all time, was a spectacular overhead kick in December 2010.

It later helped him win the club's 'Goal of the Decade' award as well as being deemed the Premier League's best-ever strike as well.

Quick Links