Manchester Derby Rivalry
The historic cross-city rivalry between Manchester City and Manchester United.
The Manchester derby refers to football matches between Manchester City and Manchester United, first contested in 1881. City play at the Etihad Stadium in Bradford, east Manchester, while United play at Old Trafford in the borough of Trafford, Greater Manchester; the two grounds are separated by approximately 4 mi. The teams have played 198 matches in all competitions; United winning 81, City 62 and the remaining 55 have been drawn. Amongst the most successful clubs in England, they have won a combined 106 honours: 68 for Manchester United and 38 for Manchester City. They are also the first two English clubs and world's first cross-city rivals to have won a continental treble; United's success came in 1999, while City's occurred 24 years later.
Quick Facts
- Primary venues
- Old Trafford (United), Etihad Stadium & Maine Road (City)
- Rivalry nature
- Local City Derby
Lore & Background
The first meeting between the two teams occurred on 12 November 1881, when St. Mark's (West Gorton) – who would later become Manchester City – hosted Newton Heath LYR – who would later become Manchester United. The game finished 3–0 in favour of Newton Heath. The first Football League meeting came in the 1894–95 season, Newton Heath beating Manchester City 5–2 at Hyde Road. The first meeting at the highest level of English football occurred in December 1906, a 3–0 City win. In the 1970s, a tackle by United's George Best broke the leg of City's Glyn Pardoe. The return fixture of the 1973–74 season saw Denis Law back-heel the ball past Alex Stepney for City, leading to a pitch invasion by United supporters. City won promotion back to the First Division in 1989 and defeated United 5–1 on 23 September 1989, but this would be their last win over United for 13 years.
Reader's Guide
The first floodlit Manchester derby was played on 26 February 1889 at the Belle Vue Athletic Ground, a friendly. The first competitive floodlit derby was the 1956 FA Charity Shield match, as Manchester United were defending league champions and Manchester City were FA Cup holders. The game was played at Maine Road because Old Trafford had yet to install lights.
More in Club History & Eras
Elsewhere in Manchester City
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