With two experienced managers at the helm, both Manchester sides will go head to head on Sunday. Defeat for either won’t mean the end of the world, however for Manchester United, it might mean the necessary spark that they need to challenge for the title this Season.
Let’s take a trip down the next memory lane to glance over the fixtures that were a delight to watch for the neutral.
Here are top 5 Manchester derbies from the last decade.
Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City -2011
After decades of dominance by the red part of Manchester, It was the first day that indicated that the tables had turned. The sheer dominance of Manchester United were questioned before by the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, however, what Manchester City did at Old Trafford was unprecedented.
Later on in the 2011/12 Season, Manchester City were to be crowned as the Premier League Champions. However, they felt the ultimate joy after this result that shocked the footballing World.
Up to the 90th-minute mark, Manchester United were going down with a fight with the score-line 3-1 in favor of the Citizens. However, with three goals in “The Fergie time”, Manchester City made sure everyone across Europe would see them as a formidable force in the coming years.
Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United – 2012
While Manchester United fans were demanding revenge in exactly the same way in which Manchester City inflicted misery upon them a year earlier, Sir Alex Ferguson had his way of doing things. This match was probably the best revenge that the Scot took in his three decades of managerial career.
Going into the half with the scoreline at 2-0, Manchester United would have settled for a quiet second half. Manchester City had other ideas as they scored two quick-fire goals in the 2nd half to level the match at 2-2. From then on, everything that followed was a pure representation of the 20-year dominance of Manchester United.
Getting a free-kick in the injury time from a position that wasn’t all that dangerous, Robin Van Persie stepped to include his name in the history books. With the favorite left foot of his, the Dutchman wrapped his foot around the ball and what followed was a footballing equivalent of a heart-attack to the Manchester City fans.
Though it wasn’t the best of free kicks that you’ll ever see, it was enough to exact revenge for the Manchester United faithful.
Manchester City 4-1 Manchester United – 2013
Though there were many fixtures that resulted in the sacking of David Moyes, this fixture was a prime reason for that. As a result of this win, Manchester City continued their march in what would be their 2nd Premier League title in 3 years. Manchester United, however, were destined to finish 7th that Season.
What started from a Sergio Aguero goal in the 17th minute and ended with a Samir Nasri effort in the 50th, Manchester United were 4-0 down on the half hour mark that day. Rooney scored a consolation in the 85th minute but as you might expect, it was too little too late to salvage anything for Manchester United.
Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City -2009
Though Michael Owen is a name that will ring bells across the Merseyside – due to his contributions to Liverpool football club, the Englishman managed to give one last hurrah in his career before taking retirement. Playing for a side that he once deemed as the ultimate enemy, Michael Owen epitomized the concept of Fergie time once again.
With the scoreline level at 3-3 going into the injury time, Manchester City manager Mark Hughes was rightly concerned going into the last 3 minutes of the game. With Sir Alex tapping his fingers on his watch – a sign for them to do the unthinkable, Michael Owen did what Manchester United fans had become so used to seeing over the last two decades.
Manchester United 4-2 Manchester City – 2015
Getting their first win over Manchester City in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era, Manchester United made sure that their journey towards the top of Premier League table would start from there. It was a tactical masterclass by Louis Van Gaal who was getting his 2nd taste of the Manchester derby.
