Manchester — home to two of the biggest clubs in English football.
On one side, the Red Devils of Manchester United, historically one of the most successful clubs in England and Europe. On the other, Manchester City, the sky-blue machine that has risen to global dominance in just over a decade.
The Manchester Derby might not have the same political undercurrents of El Clásico or the generational hatred of Man United vs Liverpool, but don’t be fooled — this rivalry has had its fair share of iconic clashes, bitter jealousies, and moments that left a lasting mark on English football.
But in the beginning, there were no Red Devils and no Citizens — just two humble local clubs trying to find their place in Manchester. So where did it all start? Let’s rewind.
Origins of the Manchester United vs Manchester City Rivalry
Newton Heath vs St. Mark’s
The derby didn’t begin with roars at Old Trafford or flares at the Etihad. Its story starts in the factories and churches of industrial Manchester.
Manchester United began life in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR, founded by railway workers from the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway. They wore green and gold, colours still seen today in the stands whenever fans protest against the Glazer ownership. Also when adidas decides to roll out one of those throwback jerseys.
Two years later, in 1880, a local church team, St. Mark’s of West Gorton, was formed to give young men an alternative to drinking and gang fights. That humble side would grow into Manchester City.
The first clash came in 1881 — Newton Heath won 3–0. At the time, it was nothing more than another local game between two of dozens of amateur sides in the area. But by the 1890s, both clubs were emerging as the dominant forces in Manchester football, and the seeds of rivalry had been planted.
Between 1888 and 1893, Newton Heath and Ardwick (as St. Mark’s had become) shared the Manchester Senior Cup six times. In 1889, they even played a charity match together to support families of miners killed in the Hyde coal disaster — an early reminder that football in Manchester was about community as much as competition.
Still, the competitive edge was growing. And soon, it would sharpen dramatically.
The Billy Meredith Scandal
If there’s a single event that turned these neighbours into rivals, it was the scandal of Billy Meredith, City’s star winger, at the end of the 1904–05 season.
Accused of attempting to bribe an opponent, Meredith was suspended. But the investigation uncovered far worse: City had broken the FA’s £4-a-week wage cap. The punishment? Huge fines, the manager Tom Maley banned for life, and 17 players suspended from ever representing City again.
What happened next shaped Manchester football forever. At an auction in Manchester’s Queen’s Hotel, United’s manager Ernest Mangnall swooped in, signing Meredith and three more suspended City players. That quartet — Meredith, Herbert Burgess, Sandy Turnbull, and Jimmy Bannister — became the backbone of United’s first great team, winning their first league title in 1908, followed by the FA Cup in 1909 and another title in 1911.
For modern fans, it sounds like treachery. But back then, many Mancunians saw it as keeping talent in the city. Still, the symbolism was clear: United had gained glory, and City had been left humiliated.
The rivalry had teeth now.
Shared Struggles, Shared Bonds
The Manchester Derby isn’t just about competition — it’s also about solidarity in hard times.
When Old Trafford was bombed in World War II, United needed a new home. City opened the gates of Maine Road, hosting their rivals for almost a decade until 1949.
And in 1958, when the Munich Air Disaster devastated United’s squad, City — and the whole of Manchester — stood shoulder to shoulder with them.
It’s this duality — fierce rivals, but bound by shared identity — that makes the Manchester Derby unique.
The 1960s: Manchester Takes Centre Stage
By the 1960s, Manchester wasn’t just a city of factories and music — it was becoming a football powerhouse.
United, under Sir Matt Busby, built a dynasty led by Bobby Charlton, George Best, and Denis Law. They dominated domestically and became the first English side to win the European Cup in 1968.
But City were not spectators. Managed by Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison, they built their own thrilling side with Colin Bell, Francis Lee, and Mike Summerbee. That same year, City snatched the league title by beating Newcastle 4–3 on the final day — pipping United.
Two clubs, one city, both champions. Manchester was now the centre of English football. And the derby wasn’t just about bragging rights anymore — it was about supremacy.
The 1970s: Violence and Infamy
By the 1970s, derbies had turned nasty.
In 1970, George Best’s reckless tackle broke City’s Glyn Pardoe’s leg so badly doctors feared amputation. A few years later, United’s Lou Macari and City’s Mike Doyle refused to leave the pitch after being sent off — the referee had to march both teams off until they agreed.
And then came the most famous moment of all: Denis Law’s backheel in 1974.
Law, a United legend, had returned to City at the end of his career. Facing his former club, he flicked in a backheel at Old Trafford. Fans invaded the pitch, believing Law had relegated United. In reality, results elsewhere sealed their fate, but the image of a United hero sending them down while wearing City blue became derby folklore.
Denis Law’s infamous backheel goal (for Man City 👀) is seen by many as the goal that relegated Man Utd in 1974…
But DON’T tell that to the man himself 👊#TooGoodToGoDown pic.twitter.com/jfuUaXZW2E
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2018
The rivalry was no longer just competitive — it was bitter, bruising, and deeply personal.
United’s Domination: 1980s–2000s
For the next three decades, the derby often felt like a mismatch. United weren’t just Manchester’s biggest club — they were becoming the biggest footballing empire on the planet.
From the mid-1980s onwards, Sir Alex Ferguson built a dynasty unmatched in English football: 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League crowns, and 38 trophies in total. His team defined an era. Names like Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, and Cristiano Ronaldo made United not only dominant but feared across Europe.
City, meanwhile, were a different story. They lurched from one crisis to another — relegations, financial instability, even a season in the third tier of English football. Their struggles birthed the phrase “Typical City” — capable of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
The rivalry barely felt like one. In 31 of 32 seasons between 1980 and 2012, United finished above City. Ferguson famously labelled them the “noisy neighbours,” and for the most part, he was right — United set the standard, City chased shadows.
But even in the darkest years, City fans clung to derby-day glory. The 5–1 demolition at Maine Road in 1989 was one of those rare days when the blue half of Manchester could smile. A decade later, Shaun Goater’s brace in 2002 gave City a 3–1 win in the final derby at Maine Road — a symbolic farewell before moving to the City of Manchester Stadium.
For United, those slip-ups were minor bumps in decades of dominance. For City fans, they were moments to treasure.
City’s Rebirth: The Abu Dhabi Era
Everything changed on 23 September 2008.
That was the day Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group bought Manchester City. Football in England would never be the same again. Overnight, City transformed from a struggling mid-table club into the richest team in the world.
The revolution began with Robinho’s shock signing from Real Madrid for a British record fee. Then came the real statement: Carlos Tevez. The Argentine striker had just finished a successful stint at United, only to cross the divide and join City.
A cheeky “Welcome to Manchester” billboard went up in the city centre, poking fun at United and sparking Sir Alex Ferguson’s infamous rant about City being “a small club with a small mentality.”
United fans laughed at first. But City weren’t joking. With Yaya Touré, David Silva, and Sergio Agüero leading the charge, the Blues were building a team to fear.
Their coming-of-age moment arrived in 2011 with a stunning 6–1 win at Old Trafford. Mario Balotelli scored, lifted his shirt, and unveiled the now-iconic “Why Always Me?” message. The match wasn’t just a derby win — it was a statement. City were no longer noisy neighbours. They were here to take over.
The following season produced the most dramatic title race in Premier League history. United thought they’d secured the crown on the final day. But then, in the dying seconds, Agüero’s 94th-minute strike against QPR rewrote history.
Martin Tyler’s immortal cry — “AGUEROOOOOOO!” — echoed through living rooms, pubs, and rival stadiums alike. A single word that captured disbelief, ecstasy, and the birth of a new order.
City were champions of England for the first time in 44 years..
From noisy neighbours to kings of England — the balance of power had shifted.
Pep vs Post-Fergie: The Modern Derby
Since Pep Guardiola’s arrival in 2016, City have turned into a superclub. League titles, records, trebles. A footballing juggernaut.
United, meanwhile, have stumbled from manager to manager in the post-Ferguson era. Mourinho, Solskjaer, Ten Hag — all tried, none restored the glory. The club has been plagued by ownership protests, an ageing Old Trafford, and inconsistency on the pitch.
But the derby remains fierce. City’s dominance has included brutal thrashings — six goals at the Etihad, Haaland and Foden hat-tricks. United, though, still find their moments: a 2–1 FA Cup final win in 2023 reminded everyone that pride in Manchester never disappears.
This Season’s Derby
The 2025/26 season has added spice.
Both sides have started poorly. United can’t score. City can’t defend. Guardiola is rebuilding. Amorim, United’s new boss, has a record of frustrating Pep’s sides.
The first derby comes just three games in — an early chance for one side to spark life into their season. The city is split. One half expects dominance. The other half hopes for revival.
As always, the Manchester Derby feels bigger than just a game.
FAQs
When was the first Manchester Derby played?
The first recorded Manchester Derby took place on 12 November 1881, when Newton Heath (later Manchester United) beat St. Mark’s (later Manchester City) 3–0.
What is the biggest win in Manchester Derby history?
The biggest victory came in 2011, when Manchester City thrashed United 6–1 at Old Trafford. It remains one of the most famous Premier League results ever.
Who has won more Manchester Derbies?
As of 2025, there have been 196 competitive meetings between the teams. United have won 80, City have won 61, and the remaining 55 games finished as draws.
Who has scored the most goals in Manchester Derby history?
Wayne Rooney is the all-time top scorer in Manchester Derby history, with 11 goals against City.
Conclusion:
The Manchester Derby has never been about hatred alone. It’s about pride, identity, and survival. From factory workers in the 1800s to billion-dollar squads today, red and blue have defined Manchester’s soul.
It’s a rivalry built on scandal, solidarity, heartbreak, and ecstasy. A rivalry that’s shifted with the winds of history but never lost its edge.
And in 2025, as United try to claw their way back and City fight to keep their crown, one thing is certain: whenever Manchester’s two giants collide, the world stops to watch.
Manchester may be one city, but it will forever belong to two colours.
