Classic Manchester derbies

Tonight is the 157th Manchester derby and there have been some classics, from the Busby Babe’s last Old Trafford derby to Michael Owen’s injury time winner last season. In between we’ve seen routs, famous comebacks and a Roy Keane special on Alfe Inge Haarland’s kneecap. Relive some Red favourites ahead of tonight’s match!

Manchester United 4 – 1 Manchester City, 31 August, 1957
For many of the Babes this was the final Old Trafford derby before the Munich disaster the following February. Duncan Edwards, Tommy Taylor, Johnny Berry and Dennis Viollet scored as United began the season in fine form. The Reds completed a fifth English league title the following May but for Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, David Pegg, Liam Whelan, Edwards and Taylor this was the last ever home derby.

Manchester City 3 – 3 Manchester United, 6 November, 1971
Super Sammy McIlroy scored on his United début against City’s best side in living memory. Brian Kidd and John Aston also netted for the Reds in a classic early ’70s encounter. Franny Lee, doing what Franny Lee did best, dived to win City a penalty as the Blues came back from two down and 3-2 behind to earn a draw at Maine Road.

Manchester City 3 – 3 Manchester United, Maine Road, 27 October, 1990
Another three-all draw in a classic early ’90s match at Maine Road. City began at pace and David White’s double looked to have secured the points for Howard Kendall’s outfit before Mark Hughes countered for United. Colin Hendry added a third for City before Brian ‘Choccy’ McClair scored twice for United to grab a draw in a breathless match.

Manchester City 2 – 3 Manchester United, Maine Road, 7 November, 1993
One of United’s greatest ever comebacks – this time in City’s backyard. Trailing by two Nial Quinn goals, United returned with strikes from Eric Cantona and Roy Keane, winning it in the final minute of the match. Sweet. “Two nil and you f*cked it up…” sang the United faithful.

Manchester United 5 – 0 Manchester City, Old Trafford, 10 November, 1994
With that 1989 match at Maine Road still all too fresh in supporters’ minds, United’s flying Russian winger Andrei Kanchelskis went on the rampage, scoring an Old Trafford hat-trick 16 years ago today. It was the match that finally put the lid on City’s 5-1 victory in ’89 and allowed fans in the Red half of Manchester to raise their heads once again!

Manchester United 1 – 1 Manchester City, Old Trafford, 24 April, 2001
Roy Keane’s long running feud with the Norwegian Alfe-Inge Haarland led to this horror tackle by the midfielder. Keane saw red and was banned for three matches. Then in his biography the Irishman appeared to suggested that he wanted to hurt the City player. It cost Keane a further five match ban and £150,000 fine.

Manchester United 4 – 3 Manchester City, Old Trafford, 20 September, 2009
Michael Owen scored an injury minute winner in, perhaps, one of the most dramatic derbies ever. United looked to have thrown the match away despite leading, as Craig Bellamy drew City level in the final minute. Earlier Wayne Rooney and Darren Fletcher had given United the lead. Then the dénouement as Owen collected Ryan Giggs’ pass and fired home. Sir Alex Ferguson danced down the touchline and City fans haven’t stopped moaning ever since.