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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has said that he attended a party with Manchester City players following their 6-1 derby defeat in 2011. He said that it was his birthday party and he had invited players from both sides.
The Red Devils hosted their city rivals at Old Trafford in October 2011. In a shocking result, Manchester City came out trumps, winning 6-1. Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko scored a brace each, while David Silva and Sergio Aguero also scored a goal each. Darren Fletcher scored the only goal for the hosts.
Ahead of the Manchester Derby at the Etihad on Sunday, September 14, Wayne Rooney spoke about that heavy defeat. The Manchester United legend said on The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport:
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"You could feel City coming up and getting closer to us.
"But to come to Old Trafford and win 6-1, I think that was a statement. It was horrible. Obviously, we went to 10 men, I have to say that as well. The second half just felt like it was goal after goal and you're just like, 'Ah, get me off this pitch.'
"After something like that, I'd never go out, I'd go home. I had a birthday party. City players were invited. I was literally sat there thinking, 'I need to cancel it.' And then obviously we've got the United lads and some of the City lads sat there."
When Kelly Cates asked if the players from both sides interacted, Rooney added:
"Yeah, course. In the end, there was me, Crouchy, Harty, we all got up and did a song by Backstreet Boys. That was just the best way to get over it."
Manchester City beat Manchester United 1-0 at the Etihad that season as well en route to winning the Premier League title.
Premier League legend predicts result of Manchester City vs Manchester United
Manchester City are set to host city rivals Manchester United at the Etihad in the 2025-26 season's first Manchester Derby. City have had a poor start to the season with just one win and two defeats in three games. Meanwhile, United have won one, drawn one, and lost the other.
Meanwhile, Premier League's all-time top goalscorer Alan Shearer has predicted a win for Manchester City in the derby, telling Metro:
"Home win. It’s a huge game for both clubs already this season and it always is. But because of what’s happened to Man City and the pressure Man United could be under, it’s a huge game. I’ll go for a home win."
Both sides are missing some key players for the derby due to injuries. Manchester United will be without the likes of Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount. Meanwhile, Manchester City are missing the likes of Omar Marmoush, Ryan Cherki, and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
