Manchester City vs Manchester United: Top five clashes in Premier League history

One of the great modern-day Premier League rivalries, the Manchester Derby, has always been about passion and emotions. The emotions have soared high for decades, and the fixture between the two sides on 15th December will be no different. While both clubs have struggled for consistency in the ongoing campaign, the players put everything on the pitch to get one over their opposition. 

At this moment, Manchester United has one win in the last three games, whereas Manchester City has just one win in ten games across all competitions. Before the game kicks off at Etihad Stadium tomorrow and the emotions start soaring high, here are the top five clashes in Premier League history between these two Manchester sides. 

Top five clashes in the Premier League between Manchester United and Manchester City: 

1. Manchester City vs Manchester United, Etihad, 2017/18 - 2-3

One of the days when Pep Guardiola did not have an answer to Jose Mourinho’s second-half tactics. Manchester City wanted to win the title at Etihad and they were all set in the first half with a two-goal lead. The champagne on the ice was kept ready after Kompany and Gundogan found the back of the net. David de Gea till that point had a poor game with the Etihad faithful ready to take up the “Champions” banner. 

Then came the Paul Pogba masterclass with Alexis Sanchez, who destroyed Cityzens’ hopes. Pogba scored two goals in 97 seconds from setpiece to silence the blue half of the manchester. The best was yet to happen. Chris Smalling, who had committed a mistake in the first half redeemed himself with a volley. Jose Mourinho was ecstatic. David de Gea's heroics in the final moments of the game ensured City’s party to the next gameweek. 

2. Manchester City vs Manchester United, Etihad, 2011/12 - 1-0

A night that made today’s Manchester City. The night shocked the Manchester United faithful. After leading the table for a long period, Manchester City had a horrific April and bottled all the lead they had built and gave Manchester United an eight-point lead in the title race.

The six-pointer game was written all over it and Sir Alex Ferguson placed a defensive side to get a draw and take home the point at the Etihad. However, Kompany’s goal made it 1-0 which Manchester United tried to chase. Despite changing the guards and putting the attacking armory, it was not possible to salvage a draw. After the game, City went on a winning run whereas the Reds slumped in two games, letting City win on the goal difference at the end of the season. 

3. Manchester City vs Manchester United, Etihad, 2012/13 - 2-3 

Robin van Persie's last-gasp free-kick sparked scenes of pure delirium in the away end at the Etihad. Wayne Rooney had seemingly put United in cruise control with two clinical first-half strikes, but City, true to their fighting spirit, mounted a ferocious comeback. Yaya Touré and Pablo Zabaleta struck in the final minutes, sending the home crowd into raptures. Then came that free-kick, in the 92nd minute.

Van Persie's effort took a slight deflection off Samir Nasri, wrong-footing Joe Hart. The ensuing celebration saw Rio Ferdinand struck by a coin from the crowd, while Joe Hart had to confront a pitch-invading fan. The drama didn't end with the final whistle – Mario Balotelli stormed straight down the tunnel, epitomizing City's frustration. This victory gave United a six-point lead at the top, proving crucial in their eventual title triumph. Ferguson later called it one of the best derbies he'd ever witnessed.

4. Manchester United vs Manchester City, Old Trafford, 2019/20 - 2-0 

The tactical masterclass of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just before COVID got all of us back sitting at home at Old Trafford, which reverberates even today. Bruno’s cheeky chip and Anthony Martial’s great finish set the tone for the evening. Aaron Wan Bissaka and the defense upped their game, pocketing the strikers and chipping the game away.

In the dying embers of the game, there came a moment that sent Manchester United fans crazy. Scott McTominay pounced on Ederson’s throw to curl home a goal from 40 yards. The Scott international’s celebration sent the fans and commentators crazy. It was the first double over City in a decade, which proved that though there are disparities that exist, the red side of Manchester can still spring the surprises. 

5. Manchester United vs Manchester City, Old Trafford, 2008/09 - 4-3

One of the best Manchester derbies in the modern-day Premier League era. This set the precedent for a decade-long battle between the clubs for supremacy. The game at Old Trafford swung like a pendulum with Manchester United battling for supremacy. Rooney scored the early goal whereas Barry equalized. Darren Fletcher scored twice to give Manchester United a 3-1 lead but Bellamy responded to the goals and equalized in the stoppage time to give a headache for the side. Then came the moment of the game in the 95:47 with Ryan Giggs’ perfectly weighted pass finding Michael Owen, whose instinctive finish made Sir Alex Ferguson dance on the touchline like a teenager.