The Manchester Derby

A look at the history of the rivalry between the two Manchester clubs.



The Manchester derby, where the Reds of United take on the Blues of City is a rivalry that has polarised the city for 127 years. It has always been a highly anticipated and hotly contested affair, not just between the players, but between fans as well.



It's a chance for City fans to tease United supporters that their club is not actually in Manchester, with Old Trafford being situated just outside the city boundaries. And it is an opportunity for United fans to remind Blues supporters just how many trophies the Red Devils have won in the past decade.

Much of the rivalry is also based on the perception of which club is the more successful, with each club having extended spells of dominance over the other. United have been a force in world football since the 1990s, with the standout highlight being their treble winning campaign of 1999. However it was City who were the most successful side in the 1960s and 70s, winning several major trophies.

The history of the derby stretches back 127 years, when on12th November 1881, St Mark's entertained their visitors, Newton Heath LYR. The Heathens ran out 3-0 winners, and so a passionate derby was born. St Mark's would go on to be renamed Manchester City while, over time, Newton Heath would take the name that would become synonymous with football the world over - Manchester United.

eventful day

The teams first met in the Football League on 3rd November 1894, when Newton Heath beat the now renamed Manchester City 5-2 at Hyde Road - City's former ground. In 1926, City recorded the biggest-ever victory in the derby - a comfortable 6-1 win over their neighbours.

Twenty years later, Old Trafford was in need of repair after sustaining damages during the Second World War, and both clubs played their matches at Maine Road. The 0-0 draw that took place in the 1947/48 season recorded the largest attendance of a Manchester derby, a crowd of 78,000, while both clubs continued to share Maine Road.

In the 1970s, the matches were renowned for their hard fought, battling style. An infamous fixture of the decade came at Old Trafford on the last day of the 1973/74 season. United, on the verge of relegation, had to win or face life outside of Division One. With 10 minutes remaining and the score at 0-0, former United turned City player Denis Law scored with a back-heeled effort to play his part in confirming the Red Devils' relegation. He did not celebrate his strike and was substituted shortly after. For 35-year-old Law it was his last contribution to professional football, as he announced his retirement during the close season.

But Law is not the only player to have crossed the great divide and play for both United and City. Robert Milarvie was the first in 1891, paving the way for the likes of Billy Meredith, John Gidman, and Peter Barnes, plus legendary United manager Sir Matt Busby, who spent eight years of his playing career with Manchester City. Northern Ireland forward Sammy McIlroy, who spent a decade with the Red Devils in the 1970s, also had a short spell with City in the mid-80s.

impressive record

And it is at Maine Road where McIlroy recalls one of his favourite memories, scoring on his surprise debut for United, 16 years before he went on to play for the Blues.

"I went along thinking they wanted me to help with the kit or something, only to be told at 11am that I was playing!" said McIlroy.

"When we came out of the tunnel, the noise was electrifying. I'd never heard anything like it."

In recent years, United goal-scoring hero Andy Cole moved to Manchester City five years after he last played for their rivals. After joining City in 2005, he said: "It's an honour to have played for both Manchester clubs."

Like Cole, Peter Schmeichel also moved to the Blues towards the end of his career. The legendary 'keeper can boast never being on the losing side in any Manchester derby he has played in. After nine years between the sticks for United, Schmeichel had short spells with Sporting Lisbon and Aston Villa, before joining City in the 2002/03 season. During his short spell with the Blues, he maintained his impressive record, after City won the Maine Road encounter, in his final derby match.

In the 2007/08 season, Schmeichel's son Kasper, a City academy graduate, was in goal as Sven-Goran Eriksson's side recorded a 1-0 home win over their neighbours. In doing so, Kasper, having never lost in a Manchester derby, was able to carry on his father's tradition.

anything is possible

Since the Premier League was formed in 1992, United have had the upper hand, winning 12 of the 22 derby matches. Four of City's five wins have come at home, with the fifth being their historic 2-1 victory at Old Trafford in the 2007/08 season. There has been five draws.

United managed to go unbeaten in derby matches throughout the 1990s, with perhaps the most notable fixture of that period being their 5-0 home win in the 1994/95 season. Yet times have changed since City's 2002 top flight promotion. Impressively, City have matched United win-for-win, with each club recording five victories in derby matches.

Since the turn of the millennium, arguably the most memorable contest between the two came on 9th November 2002. It was the last derby played at Maine Road before City moved to their new Eastlands stadium. Schmeichel was in goal for City, for his one and only match against Manchester United. Nicolas Anelka made the most of a poorly dealt with ball from Fabien Barthez to put the home side up inside five minutes. The scores were level just three minutes later through an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer strike, before a mistake by Gary Neville allowed Shaun Goater to give the Blues the lead midway through the first half. Goater then scored his second and City's third, his 100th goal for the club to put the victory beyond doubt.

And Goater, who came to England as a teenager from the United States to play for Manchester United, has some wise words of advice for the City and United players.

"When you've been at three or four (derbies) you know what it means to supporters because you have seen the passion coming through from the stands," he said.

"Sometimes it is not about playing well yourself individually but stopping others.

"The game itself can come down to competing, and who wants it more. You cannot just rely on your ability to get you through these games.

"You have to battle because if you wait to produce the goods, by the time you have beaten three men and scored in the top corner the game could be all over."

Goater continued his excellent form against his old club in the return match at Old Trafford in the 2002/03 season, scoring a late equaliser just nine seconds after coming off the bench.

"It is important to remain focused - then anything is possible," he added.

On 10 February 2008, City recorded their first win at Old Trafford since Denis Law helped to relegate his former club in 1974. Sven-Goran Eriksson's men completed a historic league double over their rivals thanks to goals from Darius Vassell and debutant Benjani Mwaruwari. United's Michael Carrick scored an injury time consolation, but it was not enough to prevent City from denting United's title hopes.