Noisy neighbour
Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson described City as such in 2009. He said: “Sometimes you have a noisy neighbour. You cannot do anything about that. They will always be noisy. You just have to get on with your life, put your television on and turn it up a bit louder.”
Headline writers rejoiced all over the country.
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Oldfield
David Oldfield played just one season for City but the striker is etched into many a supporter’s memory bank for his contribution to the epic 5-1 win in 1989.
Oldfield scored twice in that game, with Trevor Morley, Ian Bishop and Andy Hinchcliffe also on target.
Penalty
The last spot-kick scored in a Manchester derby was all the way back in January 2010, when Carlos Tevez slammed home in a 2-1 League Cup win.
Tevez also grabbed the other in that match as City roared back after Ryan Giggs’ early opener.
There have been 22 games since, which makes you think another one might be due...
Quinn
For any number of reasons - not least because he’s one of the few players whose name starts with Q - the big Irishman is in our rundown.
He enjoyed a personal purple patch in the early 90s against United even if the team couldn’t eke out a win.
Quinn scored in the both the 2-1 defeat and 1-1 draw in the 1992/93 season and bagged a brace in the following game next season in a 3-2 defeat.
Rivalry
There are very few like this one in the world. The first game of 2016/17 was broadcast to almost 190 countries as City emerged 2-1 victors at Old Trafford.
And you can be sure the bant-o-meter will be turned up to the max in offices around the country on Monday morning, whatever the score.
SWP
Wright-Phillips’ goal in the March 2004 derby was like the dessert that you don’t need, but order and devour any way! City were already 3-1 up and cruising after Trevor Sinclair (another great shout for ‘S’, by the way) had added to Robbie Fowler and Jon Macken’s goals.
The fans’ favourite skipped down the right touch-line, came inside, dropped a shoulder to buy himself a yard from Wes Brown, before smashing an unstoppable shot in off the underside of the bar.
The robot dance and pandemonium followed. Cheque please!
Tevez
One of the few players to transfer from United to City, the Argentinian striker was a natural focal point for derby rivalry during his time at the Etihad.
He rose to the challenge, scoring three goals against United over two League Cup legs in his first season with the Blues.
Uwe
The 90s were a virtual write-off for City in terms of derbies. After going out of the 80s with that 5-1 bang, City were not to taste success against the Reds until November 2002. Still, one player who made his mark was German striker Uwe Rosler.
The now Fleetwood Town boss scored at Old Trafford in a 2-1 FA Cup defeat with an absolutely sublime chip, and then again in a 3-2 defeat at Maine Road.
Vassell
The ex-England striker played in six derbies during his four-year stint at City, to good effect. In 2006 Vassell scored the second in a 3-1 win during which Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off.
And in the game at Old Trafford in 2008 that marked the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster, he was on target again as City won 2-1.
Why always me?
An iconic moment from an iconic player. Mario Balotelli displayed his T-shirt message at Old Trafford after he had rolled in City’s first goal with all the precision of a golfer on the glassy greens at Augusta.
What followed that afternoon will be forever talked about by those who witnessed it, and probably by those that didn’t.
XI
Who would make your all-time City derby XI? There have been the out and out greats and then there have been the specialists.
Joe Hayes and Francis Lee both scored 10 against the Reds, while Sergio Aguero is coming up on the rails with his tally of eight. Colin Bell had eight from midfield so must be a candidate on every criteria.
There’s a pre-match debate if ever one was needed.
Yaya at Wembley
Yaya Toure has established himself as a big game player at City and a great example of his calibre was when he produced the winner in the FA Cup semi-final against United in 2011.
Leaping in to intercept Michael Carrick’s pass, Toure brushed past Nemanja Vidic before slotting the ball through Edin van der Sar’s legs. City were another step towards breaking the trophy drought.
Zzzz
It’s hard to recall the forgettable Manchester derbies, but there have been a few. The 0-0 draw in October 2015, the one in November 2010... every now and then the fireworks don’t ignite.
Let’s hope we’re in for a treat on Sunday!
