Memorable Manchester Derbies
Manchester is one of the most historic cities in the UK and has fierce footballing rivalry between its two teams, Manchester United and Manchester City. The Manchester derby is one of the most anticipated matches in football, and it is a fixture that never fails to disappoint in terms of excitement and drama. One of the biggest Manchester derbies in recent times is happening on Saturday 3rd June in the FA Cup Final at Wembley. City are chasing an historic treble, United will want to do everything they can to stop that happening, while they look to earn a cup double for the season. In this blog, we will look at some of the more memorable Manchester derbies in the history of both clubs.
The First-Ever Manchester Derby
The first Manchester derby was played on 12th November, 1881. The game was played at the home of St. Mark’s (West Gorton), a team that later become Manchester City against Newton Heath who would become Manchester United. The match ended in a 3-0 win for West Gorton, with two goals from William Humpage and one from William Kenyon. This game set the tone for a long-standing rivalry between the two Manchester clubs.
Manchester United 0 – 1 Manchester City, 1974
In a game that would see Manchester United relegated to the then Division 2, it would be an ex-player that would seal the fate of the Red Devils. Denis Law had spent 11 years at United, playing 404 times and scoring 237 goals in his time at United. In the end, United would have been relegated anyway, with Birmingham beating Norwich City. Law was substituted immediately after scoring the goal and the game didn’t even finish, with United fans invading the pitch before the final whistle. United would only spend one season in the 2nd division, bouncing straight back to the top division.
Manchester City 2 – 3 Manchester United, 1993
This derby was yet another rollercoaster ride for fans of both teams. City made a flying start to the match, with Niall Quinn scoring two goals in the first half to give the home side a comfortable lead. Their joy was short-lived, as Eric Cantona would get a goal back for United. Cantona would complete the comeback with another goal in the 78th minute. Just three minutes before the final whistle, Roy Keane hit a winner for United in his first Manchester derby.
United went on to win the league and the FA Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson, compared to City who struggled throughout the year, finishing just 3 points out of the relegation zone in 16th position.
Manchester United 4 – 3 Manchester City, 2009
The opening clash between Manchester United and Manchester City in the season was nothing short of spectacular – many even consider it the greatest Manchester derby ever played. Despite Manchester City spending over £100 million on new players, including £25m Carlos Tevez from Manchester United and Emmanuel Adebayor, they could not guarantee victory against their fierce rivals.
The match saw United take the lead three times, only to be pegged back by City on each occasion until United earned a late winner through ex-Liverpool player, Michael Owen, making in one of the most memorable Manchester derbies in recent times. Mark Hughes would only last another two months before Roberto Mancini would take over as City’s manager.
FA Cup Key Statistics and Facts
This will be the first major final between Manchester City and Manchester United in the history of the two clubs.
This will be the third meeting between the two at Wembley Stadium. The previous two times were in 2011 when City won an FA Cup semi-final 1-0 and United won the Community Shield 3-2.
>Erling Haaland has scored 52 goals for Manchester City in all competitions so far this season and he could become the first ever Norwegian player to score in the FA Cup Final.
>Manchester United Manager Erik ten Hag will be the fourth Dutch manager to take charge of a team in an FA Cup Final. The other three being Ruud Gullit, Guus Hiddink and Louis van Gaal.
>There have been four Spanish managers to have won the FA Cup, Rafael Benitez in 2006 with Liverpool, Roberto Martinez with Wigan in 2013, Mikel Arteta in 202 at Arsenal and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola in 2019.
The Manchester derby has seen some incredible matches over the years, filled with drama and excitement and it looks as though the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium will be no different. City are carrying on their hunt for a famous treble while United would love to stop them from matching their achievements in 1999, the stakes have rarely been higher for each club.
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