Sunday will see the latest installment of the Manchester derby, and this one is shaping up to be another classic.
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(Videos) The Four most memorable Manchester derby goals: Why always Mario and Rooney’s wonder strike included
With just a point separating the two sides going into the game at Old Trafford, the match is crucial for both in the race for Champions League qualification.
United are a team bang in form – with five straight wins in the league – while City have crashed out of Europe and seen their title hopes slip away in the last few weeks.
But the form book goes out the window when it come to derby clashes – who can forget Paul Scholes’ last minute winner or the last ever derby at Maine Road?
We take a look at five memorable Manchester derbies:
5) Manchester City 4-1 Manchester United (September 2013)
Both Manuel Pellegrini and David Moyes were experiencing this particular derby for the very first time.
City were brilliant throughout, racing into a four goal lead after 50 minutes thanks to Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, and a Sergio Aguero brace. A late-free-kick from Wayne Rooney gave United a consolation goal.
This was the Red Devils’ first Manchester derby without Sir Alex Ferguson for 26 years.
4) Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United (April 2012)
A game in which the home side simply had to win, and they did thanks to a captain’s contribution from Vincent Kompany – who thumped home a header just before the break to seal the win and claim the crucial three points.
The win put the two level on points with just three games to go, and was the result which helped City win a first league title in over 40 years.
3) Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United (December 2012)
This game had a pivotal say as to where the league title was going to end up that season and United’s summer signing Robin van Persie proved to be the difference.
The two rivals battled for his signature that summer, and after choosing the Red half of Manchester it was his deflected free-kick in the 90th minute that won the game for the away side, despite a spirited effort from City who had battled back from being 2-0 down
2) Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City (October 2011)
Two images epitomised this game; first was the 6-1 scoreline, the second was Mario Balotelli revealing the infamous ‘why always me?’ shirt after opening the scoring at Old Trafford.
The away side were nothing short of rampant on this day, with the Italian grabbing another on the hour mark before Aguero marked his derby debut with a goal.
Despite Darren Fletcher making it 3-1 with 10 minutes to go, City went on to score three more goals late on to inflict a heavy defeat on their rivals.
This match was also key for City in winning the league that season…on goal difference..1) Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City (September 2009)
Three times United lead, three times City equalised, but there could be no answer to a fourth United goal in arguably the best ever Manchester derby.
Michael Owen proved to be the hero for United, as his winner deep into stoppage time clinched all three points for Ferguson’s side.