Sport
Manchester Derby: Five of the best clashes at Old Trafford
There is a huge amount at stake in this weekend’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s stay of execution after United’s humiliation at home to Liverpool was semi-justified as the Red Devils routed Tottenham 3-0, leading to Nuno Espirito Santo’s sacking.
Manchester City will cross town on Saturday on the back of a shock home loss, Aymeric Laporte having been sent off in a 2-0 defeat to Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace last time out.
Champions City sit five points behind early leaders Chelsea after 10 league games have been played and United lag a further three points back from Thomas Tuchel’s in-form Blues.
Anything can happen in the Manchester Derby, though, as these memorable Old Trafford meetings show.
Manchester Derby: 5 of the best clashes at Old Trafford
United 4-3 City (September 2009)
This seven-goal thriller is an all-time Premier League classic, let alone one of the best Manchester derbies of the modern era, with Michael Owen’s late winner settling it. Almost six minutes of added time had been played – just four had gone up on the fourth official’s board – when Owen produced a trademark finish after coming on to replace Dimitar Berbatov.
United were in front early thanks to Wayne Rooney but Gareth Barry’s equaliser ensured it was level at the break. Darren Fletcher headed United back in front but City would not go away, Craig Bellamy providing a 25-yard strike to make it 2-2.
A second Fletcher header with just 10 minutes to go seemed to have claimed victory for United only for City substitute Martin Petrov to capitalise on Rio Ferdinand’s error to level it up again. Owen then popped up at the death to snatch all three points for Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils.
United 1-1 City (April 2001)
This Manchester Derby did not have the same high-quality drama, but was unforgettable due to Roy Keane’s horrendous challenge on City midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland. A feud between the two players had been running for more than three years, with Keane having been angry at what he deemed to be play-acting by Haaland when he was playing for Leeds.
Keane flew in high on Haaland, whose knee was already strapped up due to an existing injury. The red card was inevitable but despite most people believing the tackle ended Haaland’s career, he actually completed the game, though he never made a proper comeback from it.
Steve Howey’s late equaliser earned City a point after Teddy Sheringham struck from the spot.
United 1-6 City, October 2011
One of the most painful derbies in United’s history came just over 10 years ago as their so-called “noisy neighbours” ran riot at Old Trafford.
Mario Balotelli struck twice and unveiled his famous “why always me?” t-shirt in celebration, headlines having been made by a firework being set off at his home the day before the game.
A red card shown to Jonny Evans prompted a late United collapse as City hit three late goals – Edin Dzeko netting a brace either side of David Silva’s strike – to seal a huge victory.
Roberto Mancini’s side then went on to secure the title on the last day in dramatic fashion.
United 4-2 City, April 2015
Sergio Aguero struck twice – reaching 100 goals for City in the process – but he ended up on the losing side in this derby as Louis van Gaal’s side collected a sixth straight league win. Aguero opened the scoring for the defending champions but goals from Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini turned the game around before the break at Old Trafford.
Juan Mata and Chris Smalling added gloss to the scoreline after the interval with Aguero’s late second of the game proving no consolation whatsoever for Manuel Pellegrini’s men. City had previously won four straight derbies – including celebrating on each of their past three trips across Manchester – but this was a comprehensive victory for their rivals.
United 0-3 City, March 2014
David Moyes’ difficult time in charge of United saw its nadir as City eased to victory on their way to winning the Premier League title thanks to a superb run of results in the closing weeks. United made the worst possible start when Dzeko struck in the first minute of the game, with the striker doubling City’s advantage early in the second half.
Yaya Toure tadded a late third – his 21st goal of a remarkable individual season for the Ivorian star – with a 3-0 loss proving flattering to United, who were dreadful on the day. This collapse led to the infamous”biggest fool in Manchester” rant about Moyes by YouTube star Andy Tate. The Scottish manager would be sacked by United less than a month later. Certainly one of the most impactful examples of a Manchester Derby.
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