History of Manchester United vs Manchester City

The rivalry between Manchester United and Manchester City—often referred to as the Manchester Derby—is one of the most intense and storied in English football. The origins of this rivalry can be traced back to the late 19th century, with both clubs having deep roots in Manchester's working-class communities. Over the decades, the rivalry has seen periods of dominance by both clubs, punctuated by some iconic and memorable matches.

Early Beginnings: Late 19th Century

• First Meeting: The first recorded match between the two clubs occurred on November 12, 1881, when St. Mark's (the team that would become Manchester City) played Newton Heath (which would later become Manchester United). The match ended in a 3-0 victory for Newton Heath.
• Formation of the Clubs: Newton Heath was founded in 1878 as the works team for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, while St. Mark's was formed in 1880 as a church team from West Gorton. Newton Heath became Manchester United in 1902, and St. Mark's became Manchester City in 1894.

Pivotal Moments in History

1. The 1904 FA Cup Win (City): Manchester City won their first major trophy in 1904 by clinching the FA Cup. This victory marked the club's emergence as a significant force in English football, setting the stage for the rivalry with their local neighbors.
2. The Munich Air Disaster (1958): One of the most tragic moments in Manchester United's history, the Munich Air Disaster, had a profound impact on the club. On February 6, 1958, a plane carrying the United team crashed, killing 23 people, including 8 players. Manchester City showed great sportsmanship and solidarity during this time, with City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann and others attending funerals and memorials.
3. The 1968 Title Race: Both Manchester clubs were at the top of English football in the 1967-68 season. City won the First Division title, beating United by just two points. United, however, went on to become the first English team to win the European Cup later that year.
4. The 1974 Relegation (United): One of the most iconic moments in the rivalry occurred on April 27, 1974, when Manchester United were relegated to the Second Division after losing 1-0 to City at Old Trafford. Former United player Denis Law scored the only goal of the match for City, though he refused to celebrate.
5. City's Decline and United's Dominance (1990s-2000s): During the 1990s and early 2000s, United, under Sir Alex Ferguson, became the dominant force in English football, winning numerous Premier League titles. City, on the other hand, experienced a decline, even falling to the third tier of English football in 1998. However, City returned to the Premier League in 2002.
6. The Sheikh Mansour Takeover (2008): The rivalry was transformed when Manchester City was purchased by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2008. Significant investment in the club led to a rapid rise, with City challenging United's dominance and eventually surpassing them in the Premier League.

Memorable Matches

1. 1956 FA Cup Final: Manchester City won the FA Cup by beating Birmingham City 3-1 in a match remembered for City's goalkeeper Bert Trautmann playing the final minutes with a broken neck. Although not a direct derby match, this final highlighted City's pedigree in the 1950s.
2. United 5-0 City (1994): One of Manchester United's most dominant performances in the derby came in November 1994, when they thrashed City 5-0 at Old Trafford. Andrei Kanchelskis scored a hat-trick, with Eric Cantona and Mark Hughes also on the scoresheet.
3. City 5-1 United (1989): City fans fondly remember this match, played at Maine Road, where they thumped United 5-1. It was a rare bright spot during a period when United was the more successful club overall.
4. The "Why Always Me?" Game (2011): In October 2011, City stunned United with a 6-1 victory at Old Trafford. The match is famously remembered for Mario Balotelli's "Why Always Me?" shirt celebration after scoring the opening goal. This result was seen as a power shift in Manchester and English football, with City going on to win the Premier League that season.
5. The 2012 Title Decider: On April 30, 2012, City hosted United in a match that was effectively a title decider. City won 1-0 thanks to a Vincent Kompany header, which put them in pole position to win the Premier League title. City eventually clinched the title in dramatic fashion on the final day, with Sergio Agüero’s last-minute goal against QPR.
6. United 3-2 City (2018): In April 2018, City had the chance to clinch the Premier League title against United at the Etihad Stadium. City took a 2-0 lead, but United staged a remarkable comeback to win 3-2, delaying City's title celebrations. Paul Pogba was instrumental, scoring twice in the match.
7. City 4-3 United (2009): Known as the "Michael Owen derby," this September 2009 game was a thrilling encounter. City equalized three times, but Michael Owen scored a dramatic injury-time winner for United, making it 4-3.

Current Era: Continuing the Rivalry

Since City's rise with riches, the rivalry has been more fierce than ever, with both clubs often competing for the Premier League title. Pep Guardiola’s City and the various managers who have succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson at United have produced many memorable encounters, with City often having the upper hand in recent seasons.