As we build-up to the 172nd Manchester derby, ManCity.com examines some of the sky blue icons from the fixture in years gone by…

In the the fourth of our series looking at City players who claimed iconic status during the Manchester derby - step forward, Edin Dzeko...

The player…

Edin Dzeko

Edin Dzeko joined City from Wolfsburg in January 2011 and would go on to enjoy three very productive campaigns over the next four-and-a-half years.

The Bosnian striker played 192 times for the Blues, scoring 73 goals along the way, but it was his goals against United that are perhaps best remembered by City fans.

Dzeko twice scored a brace against the Reds with all four of his Premier League Manchester derby goals coming at Old Trafford - not to mention two assists for David Silva.

But what’s more impressive than his goals tally against the Reds is the fact that his four goals and two assists came in just 128 minutes for football.

Dzeko also scored in the 2011 FA Community Shield clash at Wembley and scored home and away for Wolfsburg in the 2009 Champions League group stages clashed against United.

So, all in, five for City and two for Wolfsburg - seven goals in eight matches at a strike rate of a goal every hour against the Reds - a phenomenal record.

While his stellar cameo role in the 6-1 win takes some beating, his strike after 43 seconds in March 2014 is more than worth another look...

 

The moment

Old Trafford, 24 March 2014

Having already thrashed United at the Etihad earlier in the season, the Blues went to Old Trafford in confident mood and on course for a second Premier League title in three years.

City raced out of the blocks against David Moyes’ side and when Samir Nasri’s low shot struck the post, Dzeko was on hand to drill home the opening goal for one of the Blues’ quickest derby goals ever.

The Bosnian added a second on 56 minutes and Yaya Toure made it 3-0 on 90 minutes to secure another comfortable win over United.

Dzeko reaction