1968 First Division Title Decider vs Liverpool

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 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 notable derby saw Denis Law back-heel the winning goal for City at Old Trafford near the end of the 1973–74 season, which contributed to United's relegation.

Reader's Guide

The Manchester derby is a historic rivalry between two of England's most successful clubs. 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.

Did You Know?

• The first floodlit Manchester derby was played on 26 February 1889 at the Belle Vue Athletic Ground, with Newton Heath defeating Ardwick 3–2.
• In the December 1970 derby, a tackle by United's George Best broke the leg of City's Glyn Pardoe; the severity of the injury almost resulted in the City defender losing his leg.