Manchester United vs West Ham United 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. 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. After a financial scandal at City, four players joined United, where they helped United gain their first league title in 1908. The first floodlit Manchester derby was played on 26 February 1889 at the Belle Vue Athletic Ground. The first competitive floodlit derby was the 1956 FA Charity Shield match. Manchester derbies in the 1970s saw two controversial incidents: a tackle by United's George Best broke the leg of City's Glyn Pardoe, and a 3–3 draw saw Francis Lee accuse Best of diving. The first derby of the 1973–74 season saw Mike Doyle and Lou Macari each receive a red card. In the return fixture, Denis Law back-heeled the ball past goalkeeper Alex Stepney into the net; this was Law's last appearance in league football. The 1980s began with a 2–2 draw at Old Trafford. 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.

In Their Own Story

The roar inside Old Trafford was a physical force as the referee blew the whistle for the final match of the season. The air smelled of damp grass and anticipation. On the touchline, Sir Alex Ferguson paced anxiously, his eyes fixed on the East London visitors who had already caused havoc in the first half. A West Ham striker, clad in claret and blue, looked up at the towering stands, knowing that a single moment of brilliance could shatter United's title hopes.

Reader's Guide

The Manchester derby is contested between Manchester City and Manchester United. Matches are played at either the City of Manchester Stadium (City's home) or Old Trafford (United's home). The teams have met 198 times in all competitions. Notable derby moments include the 1906 meeting with gate receipts exceeding £1,000, the 1974 Denis Law back-heel goal, and the 1989 5–1 City win. United went unbeaten in derbies throughout the 1990s.

Did You Know?

• The first meeting between the teams was on 12 November 1881, with Newton Heath winning 3–0.
• The first floodlit derby was played on 26 February 1889 at Belle Vue Athletic Ground.
• Denis Law's back-heel goal for City against United in 1974 was his last league appearance.
• United went unbeaten in derbies for the entire 1990s.