Classic derbies between City and United

There will be two more Manchester derbies this season after United and City were paired together in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will take on Pep Guardiola’s men in a two-legged tie in January.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some memorable games between the two sides.

Man Utd 0 Man City 1, April 1974

Soccer – League Division One – Manchester United v Manchester City – Old Trafford
Soccer – League Division One – Manchester United v Manchester City – Old Trafford

A bad-tempered Old Trafford affair ended in United’s relegation from the top flight, with Denis Law scoring late against his former club. Law’s instinctive back-heel was the final touch of his career as he was immediately substituted and never played again. The former United hero looked heartbroken at what he had done, but United would have been relegated anyway after Birmingham beat Norwich in their final game of the campaign. The result stood after a pitch invasion prevented the final five minutes from being played – but United returned to the top tier after a one-season stay in the old Second Division.

Man City 2 Man Utd 3, November 1993

Eric Cantona enjoyed the Manchester derby in the 1990s
Eric Cantona enjoyed the Manchester derby in the 1990s

City fans arrived at Maine Road revelling in United’s exit from the Champions League to Turkish side Galatasaray four days earlier. And it got even better for them as Niall Quinn headed Brian Horton’s men into a two-goal lead before half-time. United were suffering from an Istanbul hangover, but Eric Cantona seized on Michel Vonk’s wayward header to halve the deficit. A red tide swarmed all over City and Cantona converted Ryan Giggs’ delicious pass before Roy Keane smashed home the winner in his first Manchester derby three minutes from time. A real statement of intent from United in their first double-winning campaign.

Man Utd 4 Man City 3, September 2009

One of few highlights for Michael Owen at Manchester United was the striker's last-minute winner against City
One of few highlights for Michael Owen at Manchester United was the striker's last-minute winner against City

City’s summer spending – over £100million on the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Joleon Lescott and former United striker Carlos Tevez – lifted the derby to new heights with United’s boss Sir Alex Ferguson having complained of the “noisy neighbours”. In what turned out to be a cross-city classic, United took the lead three times only for the visitors to respond on each occasion. Wayne Rooney’s second-minute strike was cancelled out by Gareth Barry before two Darren Fletcher headers were countered by a Craig Bellamy brace, the second in the final minute after a Rio Ferdinand mistake. But City had no answer six minutes into ‘Fergie Time’ when Giggs found Michael Owen and the former Liverpool striker produced his most memorable moment in a United shirt.

Man Utd 1 Man City 6, October 2011

Mario Balotelli unveiled his famous t-shirt with the slogan
Mario Balotelli unveiled his famous t-shirt with the slogan

City’s claim to be genuine title contenders under Roberto Mancini went off the scale as Ferguson suffered what he described as his “worst ever day” in charge of United. It was revealed before kick-off a firework had gone off in Mario Balotelli’s house but that was nothing compared to the pyrotechnics at Old Trafford. Balotelli opened the scoring and celebrated by brandishing a t-shirt with “Why Always Me?” emblazoned on the front before Jonny Evans’ dismissal prompted City to run riot. Balotelli (again), Edin Dzeko (2), Sergio Aguero and David Silva scored with Fletcher’s reply the lamest of consolations. City were champions in May.

Man City 2 Man Utd 3, April 2018

HT: 2⃣-0⃣FT: 2⃣-3⃣

Sum up that second half in one word, #MUFC fans… pic.twitter.com/X9U5PRa0tj

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 7, 2018

It was the scenario City fans would have dreamt of for most of the 1990s and 2000s – a home victory over their great rivals to seal the Premier League title. That was the situation for Pep Guardiola’s side and it looked on course to happen as a scintillating first half saw them surge into a 2-0 lead. Vincent Kompany’s bullet header was followed by Ilkay Gundogan’s second. But Jose Mourinho was determined to play party-pooper and his half-time team-talk had a devastating affect. Paul Pogba hit a quickfire two-minute double to immediately level in the second half and then the comeback was complete when Chris Smalling converted in front of jubilant away fans. It was a pleasing moment for United, but it only delayed the inevitable as City went on to win the title with a record 100 points.

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