Manchester Derby
The historic cross-city rivalry between Manchester City and Manchester United, first contested in 1881.
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 miles (6.4 km). The teams have played 199 matches in all competitions; United winning 81, City 63 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
- Location
- Greater Manchester
- Stadiums
- Etihad Stadium (City), Old Trafford (United)
- First meeting
- 12 November 1881; Friendly, St. Mark's (West Gorton) 0–3 Newton Heath LYR
- Latest meeting
- 17 January 2026
- Premier League
- Manchester United 2–0 Manchester City
- Total meetings
- 198
- Most wins
- Manchester United (81)
- Longest win streak
- 8 games; Manchester United (1993–2000)
- Longest unbeaten streak
- 16 games; Manchester United (1990–2001)
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. Both clubs grew in stature as the 1880s progressed. The pair became the dominant teams in the Manchester area; the winner of the Manchester Cup was either Newton Heath or Ardwick every year between 1888 and 1893.
Both teams joined the Football Alliance. Admission to the Football League finally came in 1892. The first Football League meeting between the teams came in the 1894–95 season, Newton Heath beating Manchester City 5–2 at Hyde Road. The first meeting between the clubs to take place at the highest level of English football occurred in December 1906, a 3–0 City win.
Before the Second World War, many football supporters in Manchester watched City one week and United the next. After the war, a stronger rivalry developed.
Reader's Guide
The first floodlit Manchester derby was played on 26 February 1889 at the Belle Vue Athletic Ground, with Newton Heath defeating Ardwick 3–2. The first competitive floodlit derby was the 1956 FA Charity Shield match, played at Maine Road. Notable derbies include the December 1970 match where George Best broke Glyn Pardoe's leg, and the 1973–74 season match where Mike Doyle and Lou Macari each received a red card. The Denis Law game on the penultimate day of the 1973–74 season saw Law back-heel the ball past Alex Stepney for a 1–0 City win, contributing to United's relegation. In the 1980s, City defeated United 5–1 on 23 September 1989, but this would be their last win over United for 13 years. In the 1990s, United dominated the fixture, going unbeaten in derbies for the full decade.
Did You Know?
- The first meeting between the teams was on 12 November 1881, not 1880.
- Goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel played for both United and City and had an unbeaten record in derby games.
- Denis Law's back-heel goal for City against United in 1974 sent United down to the Second Division.
More in Club History & Eras
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