Manchester United vs Blackburn Rovers Rivalry

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.

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, playing for City, back-heel the ball past United's goalkeeper to score the winning goal at Old Trafford, contributing to United's relegation. In the 1990s, United dominated the fixture, going unbeaten in derbies for the full decade.

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 because Old Trafford had yet to install lights. Notable derby incidents include the 1970s controversies, the Denis Law back-heel goal in 1974, and City's 5–1 win over United on 23 September 1989, which was City's last win over United for 13 years.