The 191st Manchester derby is almost here, so we’re whetting the appetite by bringing you extended highlights from some of the best derby clashes with our local rivals.
Manchester City were one of the Premier League’s 22 clubs in its inception season of 1992/93 and we have played them on 52 occasions since the top flight was was rebranded.
For the first 10 Premier League derbies between United and City, the Reds were unbeaten, scoring an impressive 22 goals and conceding only seven.
In addition to the feisty tackling and hostile atmospheres that this derby guarantees, it also delivers goals. Only five of the 52 Premier League meetings between United and City have finished 0-0.
Indeed, in recent years, our derbies have become more competitive, with City establishing themselves as one of the Premier League’s regular top six, alongside the Reds. This only adds to the fire of the fixture, and the anticipation for this contest is just as high as it was in the very first Premier League game between the sides in December 1992 at Old Trafford.
Relive some classic derby action below and get ready for Sunday’s big game by claiming your limited-edition digital collectible at collectibles.manutd.com. You can find more info on that further down, but first we’re looking back at last season’s stirring come-from-behind triumph.
UNITED 2 CITY 1 (2022/23)
United conjured up a thrilling victory in our most recent home clash with City back in January, coming from behind to record ninth consecutive win in all competitions. Pep Guardiola’s side had much of the possession but the Reds were a threat on the break throughout the game and Marcus Rashford twice went close to putting us ahead in the first half. It was City who took the lead on the hour mark, however, as Jack Grealish applied a flying header to Kevin De Bruyne’s chipped ball across the face of goal. That only seemed to galvanise United and, inspired by both the raucous Old Trafford faithful and substitute Alejandro’s electric impact, we drew level through Bruno Fernandes, who galloped onto Casemiro’s pinpoint through-ball and slotted home, with Rashford smartly stepping aside as he’d been in danger of being flagged offside. Four minutes later, Rashford brought the house down with the winner, calmly converting Garnacho’s cross from close range.
CITY 2 UNITED 3 (1993/94)
United legends Eric Cantona and Roy Keane both star in the second video we have selected, with the duo inspiring another remarkable Reds comeback, this time at Maine Road in November 1993. The Reds were 2-0 down against City at half-time, after Niall Quinn had scored a first-half brace thanks to two headers. But United fought back in the second period, as Cantona scored a brace of his own to draw the sides level. Despite the Frenchman’s goals, Peter Schmeichel played a pivotal role in the eventual victory, producing a sublime save when faced one-on-one with Quinn. With just three minutes to go, Keane made himself a hero, hammering home Denis Irwin’s cross at the back post to seal victory for the Reds. This incredible comeback ensured United extended our lead at the top of the Premier League table, and we went on to win our second consecutive title at the end of that season.
UNITED 5 CITY 0 (1994/95)
Andrei Kanchelskis stole the headlines in our emphatic 5-0 win over City at Old Trafford in 1994. The right winger scored a goal either side of half-time and completed his hat-trick in the closing stages of the match, as the Reds swept aside our neighbours. Cantona opened the scoring for United with a left-footed drive in the first half, and Mark Hughes added our fourth goal in the second half with a composed finish, but the Kanchelskis hat-trick did the majority of the damage, and helped to avenge City’s notable 5-1 win at Maine Road in 1989.
UNITED 4 CITY 3 (2009/10)
Our 4-3 derby win in 2009 will always be remembered for an injury-time winner from Michael Owen. Despite the Reds going ahead three times, with goals from Wayne Rooney and Darren Fletcher (2), City managed to hit back on all three occasions. However, Craig Bellamy’s 90th-minute equaliser for Mark Hughes’s side wasn’t enough, as Owen popped up in the 96th minute to slot home after being found expertly by Ryan Giggs. The scenes at Old Trafford could only be described as pandemonium, as the win ensured bragging rights for United and also kept pressure on league leaders Chelsea.
CITY 2 UNITED 3 (2012/13)
The final derby clash we have selected is yet another that was decided in injury time. Our visit to City in December of 2012 saw first take on second in the Premier League. Wayne Rooney had given the Reds a 2-0 half-time lead with a quickfire brace, before the hosts staged a second-half comeback through Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta. With the sides locked at 2-2, and time running out, Robin van Persie stepped up to take a 92nd-minute free kick. The Dutchman’s effort curled all the way into the far corner and sent United’s away support into raptures. It was the sweetest of wins, and carved open a six-point lead for United at the top of the Premier League table.
COLLECT UNITED: MAN CITY
The window is open for you to claim your free United v Man City collectible. It’s a unique piece of digital artwork featuring three previous derby goalscorers in the current squad - Fernandes, Rashford and Anthony Martial - so grow your collection now for the chance to win VIP rewards.
You can get yours until full-time on Sunday (around 17:00 GMT) by heading straight to collectibles.manutd.com and following these steps:
1. SIGN IN TO THE COLLECTIBLES WEBSITE
Start with a visit to collectibles.manutd.com, where you click Sign In, Use Social and finally your choice of Google, Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) account.
2. CREATE YOUR FREE DIGITAL WALLET
Signing in with your chosen social account will create an online wallet where you can store all the matchday tokens you claim throughout 2023/24. How many will you have by the end of the season? Why not challenge your friends and see who can build the biggest collection.
3. COLLECT NOW
Click this button on the collectibles.manutd.com homepage to find the latest token, and again on the next page to unlock and add it to your digital wallet. Then you’re done!
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Manchester United’s officially licensed Digital Collectibles, powered by Tezos and brought to you by Tezos ecosystem companies, are a form of cryptoasset. Manchester United Digital Collectibles have been issued as a collectible item and not an investment. However, it is important that you keep in mind that:
1. Manchester United Digital Collectibles are not currently regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and are not covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme;
2. the value of Manchester United Digital Collectibles is variable and can go down as well as up;
3. tax may be payable on any profits made on the sale of Manchester United Digital Collectibles; and
4. for those Digital Collectibles which require purchase, the decision to purchase Manchester United Digital Collectibles requires careful thought and consideration. You should seek independent financial advice if you are in doubt. You should not purchase any cryptoassets if you do not fully understand the nature of your purchase and the risks involved.
