All you need to know about the Manchester Derby

United-City-Manchester-Derby

A derby is a local rivalry shared between two teams, usually in the same city, or county/region. Thus, the Manchester Derby refers to soccer matches between traditional heavyweights Manchester United and Manchester City. This derby was first contested in the year 1881.

The Clubs from Manchester

manchester united vs manchester city

Although the city Manchester boasts of two prominent football clubs, namely Manchester United, Manchester City who are well known to the world, the city also boasts of FC United of Manchester who play in the 6th tier of English football in the National League North after being promoted from NPL Premier Division and are based at Broadhurst Park in Moston, an area less than three miles north of the city centre.

Interestingly, this club was founded in 2005 by Manchester United supporters who opposed to American businessman Malcolm Glazer’s takeover, F.C. United entered Division Two of the North West Counties Football League, earned three consecutive promotions and were promoted for a fourth time to National League North for the 2015–16 season. In cup competitions, F.C. United reached the second round of the FA Cup in 2010–11 and the fourth round of the FA Trophy in 2014–15.

But currently, the Manchester derby is fought only between the two Premier League giants the Red Devils and the Citizens since they play in the most elite football league in the country level and in the continental level.

Where do the two clubs play?

ot man utd

Manchester United also known as the Red Devils play at the Old Trafford while Manchester City or the Citizens play at the City of Manchester Stadium (now knowns as Etihad Stadium due to sponsorship reasons). Astonishingly, the two grounds are separated by each other by 4 miles (6.4 km).

How many times have both teams played each other?

Both the teams have played each other in 181 matches in all competitions with United winning 75 of those. City have meanwhile won 54 matches while the remaining 52 games have ended in a draw.

In the first meeting between the two clubs on November 12, 1881, United blanked hosts City 3-0 to record win in the first Manchester Derby.

The two teams have never faced each other in European competitions. In the Premier League, the teams have played each other 45 times wherein United have won 22 games, City have won 15 while 8 games have been ended in a draw.

In the first division of Football League, the two teams have played in 104 games wherein United have won 35 matches, City have won 30 while 39 games have resulted in a draw.

In Football League Second Division games, the teams have played 12 games wherein City have emerged winners in 2 matches while United have won six games. 4 matches have resulted in a draw.

In FA Cup games, both the sides have played in 9 matches where United have won 6 matches and City have won 3 games.

Meanwhile, the Manchester Derby has been played in the EFL Cup in 9 matches wherein United have won 4 matches same as City who also have won 4 games. Only One match has resulted in a draw.

In FA Community Shield matches, both the teams have been pitted against each other in 2 matches where United have won both the games.

In the overall league statistics, the teams have played each other in 161 matches wherein United have won in 63 encounters, drawn 51 while City have won in 47 of those encounters.

In the 81 league matches that City have hosted, the hosts have won 26 games while United have won in 30 encounters. Meanwhile, 25 matches have ended in a stalemate.

In the 80 league matches that United have hosted, the hosts have won 33 games while City have won in 21 encounters. Meanwhile, 26 matches have ended in a stalemate.

In the 20 Cup encounters that both the teams have played in, the Red Devils have emerged winners in 12 games while City have won in 7 matches. Only 1 match has resulted in a draw.

When will the two sides play again?

Manchester United are set to meet Manchester City for the fourth time this season on Sunday, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer holding an impressive record over his opposite number Pep Guardiola.

The Red Devils have won two of the three meetings with both victories coming away from home.

The last time the two sides played was on January 29th in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg clash in which the Red Devils prevailed 1-0 victors away from home.

It will now be interesting to see who will emerge victorious in the upcoming clash on Sunday.