Wayne Rooney’s spectacular finish was among some of the great moments this fixture has seen over the yearsThis week's clash between the two Manchester teams will be the 169th meeting between the rivals. With the 2014-15 English Premier League season in its final stages, the match between the two is very crucial for both of the two teams. A win for the Red Devils will give them a 4 point cushion over City and would almost secure a top 4 berth, a primary objective for Louis van Gaal and his team. Whereas, for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, a win over their rivals would still keep them in the title race and more importantly keep them safely in Top 4. Over the years, these two have had some memorable clashes which have made a mark on the Premier League history. With a cracker of a game expected again this week, let us look at some of the top Manchester derbies.Note: The list is no particular order
#1 Man Utd 5-0 Man City (November 1994)
This was back in time when City were hardly a match to the United side who were on the brink of great heights. Manchester United’s flying Russian winger Andrei Kanchelskis went on the rampage, scoring an Old Trafford hat-trick. The Russian simply stole the show that night. Eric Cantona and Mark Hughes added the other two goals making it a memorable night for the men in red. ManchesterCity would not register even a single win in the 90s against their arch rivals.
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#2 Man Utd 2-1 Man City (February 2011)
This game will be always be remembered for Rooney’s perfectly timed “bicycle kick’. The game was well balanced with both the teams scoring a goal each but Wayne Rooney scored his best goal of the career and helped secure a much-needed win for Manchester United. It was just 4 months before this match when Rooney made a transfer request and rumours circulated of him joining Manchester City. But, Rooney went on to sign a long-term contract with Manchester United and re-establish himself among United faithful after scoring a brilliant winner.
Manchester United went on to win the league that season and this win gave the Red Devils a momentum to capture their 19th title and thereby overtaking the previous record set by Liverpool(18 titles).
#3 Man Utd 1-6 Man City (October, 2011)
While in the early 90s it was Manchester United who were building a great team, Manchester City started to build their own team from 2010. The “noisy neighbours were under huge pressure to prove their worth and beat their rivals. Alas, they not only defeated the Sir Alex Ferguson’s team but humiliated them by scoring 6 goals in front of a 70,000 plus Manchester United fans inside the Theatre of Dreams. United were reduced to 10 men early in the second half after Jonny Evans got sent off and that started the dominance from City and they scored 6 goals past the hapless United side. This was among the worst defeats for Manchester United on their own turf for many years. Even, Sir Alex at the time termed this defeat the “worst” of his career.
Also, It was in this game where the ever controversial Mario Balotelli revealed his “Why always me” t-shirt after scoring the first goal of the match. Overall, it was a day to forget for all the Manchester United supporters.
#4 Man City 2-3 Man Utd (December 2012)
In this game, all eyes were on Robin Van Persie, Manchester United’s new summer recruit. In the summer after City's Premier League win Roberto Mancini made it clear that he wanted to bring the then Arsenal captain Robin van Persie to the Etihad. But, where they failed, their arch-rivals pounced and it was the Dutch star who made the difference in this game. The match was seemingly heading for a draw when the visitors won a free kick in the stoppage time of the second half. Robin Van Persie’s well-struck free kick nestled in the net past Joe Hart, giving Manchester United a 2-3 victory at Etihad.
Manchester United went on to lift the premiership trophy later that season and thus, giving Sir Alex a great farewell.
#5 Man Utd 4-3 Man City (September, 2009)
This derby had everything to make a person fall in love with this beautiful game. Rooney started the scoring and gave United the lead but then Gareth Barry equalised for City. The game got interesting when Darren Fletcher and Craig Bellamy both scored a brace to make it 3-3.
Then came the ultimate end, in the 96th minute of the game former Liverpool striker Michael Owen shot past the City keeper ‘Shay Given’ and into the Old Trafford net to become an instant hero among the United fans. Not only was it one of the best derbies, many even regard this game as one the best Premier league games. An end to end encounter that was eventually settled by incredible late drama, in a match littered with goals, controversy and edge of the seat action.
