The Manchester derby is one of if not the most important fixtures in the calendar.
The city goes head-to-head to lay claim to Manchester’s colour, red or blue.
And ahead of what is expected to be an exciting clash, Betway have picked their favourite derby day moments. Check them out below!
5. Phil Foden and Erling Haaland bag hat-tricks in 6-3 win
What could be better than one hat-trick? How about two!
Foden put City ahead after eight minutes before a brace from our number nine and a second from Foden put Pep Guardiola‘s side four ahead at the break.
Haaland completed his hat-trick first just after the hour mark with Foden stepping up to complete his trio of goals as City ran out victors.
Antony’s strike and Anthony Martial’s late brace were nothing more than consolations as City would go on to win the Treble.
4. City’s 3-1 win in our last derby day at Maine Road
On the 9 November 2002, our old home, Maine Road, played host to its last Manchester derby.
With the boys in blue determined to win such an important game, Nicolas Anelka fired City ahead on five minutes before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer levelled three minutes after the restart.
City legend Shaun Goater then scored a fantastic brace, a goal either side of half time, to snatch all three points.
Goater’s second from close-range sent the packed-out stadium into a frenzy in an iconic game for the Club.
3. City’s 2011 FA Cup semi-final win
Derby days are already tense. Add the jeopardy of a place in the FA Cup final and the nerves before kick-off were almost unbearable.
Yaya Toure intercepted a Michael Carrick pass on the edge of the United box and the midfielder converted the chance to clock up a 1-0 win and he then celebrated in style!
2. ‘Why Always Me?’ - Mario Balotelli’s goal
In 2011, City recorded our biggest victory over our rivals in our first win at Old Trafford since 1955.
And yet, in the 6-1 win, one man is always at the forefront of conversation when City fans reflect on the game.
As Mario Balotelli watched his first-time effort nestle into the bottom right corner on 22 minutes, the Italian turned and simply showed his undershirt which spelt out: ‘Why always me?’.
A second from Balotelli and goals from Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and David Silva completed a fantastic performance by Roberto Mancini’s men.
1. Vincent Kompany’s winning strike
It was April 2012, City and United were toe-to-toe in the race for the Premier League title. In our penultimate home game of the campaign, the two met at the Etihad in a game that would likely determine the champions of England.
So who better to help City win the title than the captain?
Kompany’s fantastic header on the brink of half-time saw City emerge victorious 1-0 in one of our most iconic derby day triumphs.
City were crowned Premier League champions two weeks later.
What Manchester derby day moment would make your list?
Check out Betway here.
