Manchester City vs Manchester United: Complete head-to-head record
Dating back to November 1881, the Manchester derby has been a staple of the English football calendar for many years and continues to be in the modern era.
While the Red Devils have a richer history thanks to their period of glory during the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson, the Cityzens have enjoyed more success in the modern game, dominating the Premier League over the past decade.
The wealth of Sheikh Mansour has helped overturn the balance of power in Manchester, though United have their earlier success to thank when it comes to the head to head record.
At this point, the newfound Manchester City project was in full swing with the likes of Kolo Toure, Gareth Barry and Carlos Tevez all buying into the project. City’s exuberant spending meant the cross-town derbies between the pair in 2009/10 were set up to be thrillers.
A routine Wayne Rooney goal saw the hosts burst into the lead just two minutes in, but his teammate-turned-rival Tevez then assisted Barry for City to level the scoring.
Darren Fletcher and Craig Bellamy then notched a brace apiece, but in true ‚Fergie Time‘ fashion Michael Owen latched onto Ryan Giggs‘ pinpoint through-ball to clinch all three points at the death.
Mario Balotelli’s iconic celebration is synonymous with this particular fixture in 2011.
The Italian began the 6-1 romp midway through the first half but it was in the second period when City began to run away with the game. Jonny Evans was sent off in the 47th minute before Balotelli grabbed his second of the afternoon.
Sergio Aguero further extended the Cityzens‘ lead before three goals in the space of four late minutes from David Silva and Edin Dzeko made it an afternoon of embarrassment for United, who did manage a reply thanks to Darren Fletcher’s curler. City would go on to win the 2011/12 title.
It was only the second time ever United had conceded six goals at Old Trafford and the result signalled a changing of the guard.
Four words: Wayne Rooney’s bicycle kick.
„I think so,“ the then 25-year-old said when quizzed whether his acrobatic finish was the best of his career. „I saw it come into the box and thought, ‚Why not? Thankfully it finished up in the top corner.“
David Silva’s deflected equaliser put Roberto Mancini’s City in sight of a draw after Nani’s first-half effort had put United ahead in a tight affair.
With 12 minutes to spare, Rooney produced a world-beating finish to regain the lead, leaving City dumfounded and unable to respond in the dying embers.
Rooney’s emphatic late winner inflicted a hammer blow to City’s title hopes, eventually finishing nine points adrift of the Premier League summit at the end of the season.
Jose Mourinho was ordered to delay Manchester City’s title party back in 2018 and he proved to be the right manager for the assignment.
Captain Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan were on target in the first half and everything seemed to be going swimmingly as with City enjoyed themselves against their fiercest rivals on their way to another league title.
However, Paul Pogba inspired a remarkable comeback after the half-time break, scoring twice in as many minutes in what was arguably his best performance in United colours. Defender Chris Smalling converted to complete a 16-minute comeback as the travelling section of the Etihad Stadium were sent into elation.
Pep Guardiola, however, did not let this result alter his side’s groove as he won his first Premier League title, City becoming the first team in history to surpass the 100 point mark in the process.
Erling Haaland played against United for the first time in October 2022 and it’s a game that still gives Red Devils fans nightmares.
The Norwegian giant further enhanced his reputation by grabbing a hat-trick just before 70 minutes. Haaland was not the only man in sky blue to have his shooting boots on as Phil Foden also picked up the match ball at full time with a treble of his own.
United’s Brazilian wide man Antony grabbed the first consolation when his side were 4-0 down in the 56th minute before substitute Anthony Martial notched two late on to reduce the deficit. United were down-and-out by that point, however.
Manchester City vs Manchester United – Complete H2H record
Manchester City vs Manchester United – Premier League H2H record
Manchester City vs Manchester United – FA Cup H2H record
Top scorers in Manchester City vs Manchester United fixtures
Player |
Team represented |
Goals |
---|---|---|
Wayne Rooney |
Manchester United |
11 |
Joe Hayes |
Manchester City |
10 |
Francis Lee |
Manchester City |
10 |
Sergio Aguero |
Manchester City |
9 |
Sir Bobby Charlton |
Manchester United |
9 |