With the much anticipated Manchester Derby just around the corner. Fans from the Red side and the Blue side of Manchester are gearing up for an epic battle, with bragging rights at stake and also with both teams still in contention for the English Premier League. With Manchester United showing signs of getting back to their best and city having decent momentum it's going to be war, tackles flying, player's arguing , being sent off. It's going be tough for the officiating referee to keep things calm and make the right decisions.
Over the years we have witnessed some exciting Manchester derbies. Players tend to make a name for themselves in this fixture. Their names gets etched in history books, Songs sung by the supporters of the Red and Blue for their heroics in these fixtures. With the rich history these two sides shares let's take a look at the top five epic Manchester derbies in the last ten years.
This fixture has got to be there in the top 5 nail biting finishes across any derby around the world. With both teams scoring one after another and with the game tied at three all and with five minutes of injury time added on a wonderful pass from Ryan Giggs to find Micheal Owen who slots the ball in to the net and sends Old Trafford into euphoria. Disgust on the face of City Boss at that time Mark Hughes with him claiming that Owen's goal was scored way past the Injury time. But us Manchester United fans know it famously as Fergie time, and also Manchester United fights till the very end. Never write us off.
2).12th February 2011-Manchester United: 2 Manchester City: 1
This fixture is one those which will be etched in the minds of Manchester United supporters around the world, because of none other then current United skipper Wayne Rooney scoring a stunning Bicycle kick to seal the victory for Manchester United. A beautiful weighted cross from and a sweet connection from Wayne Rooney, it was a joy to watch that goal. That goal later became the best goal scored ever in the Barclay's Premier League. With Wayne Rooney scoring a stunning volley this week against Aston Villa this week, it shows that the United skipper has still got that flamboyance in his locker and who knows we might see another stunner from him.
3). 23rd October 2011- Manchester United:1 Manchester City: 6
This was the year our noisy neighbours got even louder , this year saw City stamp their authority in the Premier League, Winning the Premier League in that season, but their most notable achievement during that season would be crushing Manchester United at Old Trafford. With likes of Mario Balotelli , Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero scoring. And they won the season by having a higher goal difference than Manchester United.
4). 9th December 2012-Manchester City:2 Manchester United: 3
This fixture was another nail biting fixture with Manchester United as they have done in the past leaving it late to secure victory, With Robin Van Persie scoring a free kick which took a slight deflection from Samir Nasri taking it away from the reach of City shot stopper Joe Hart. With Manchester United having squandered a two goal lead, both those goals being scored by Wayne Rooney, a spirited come back from City to draw level, on;y for Van Persie to secure bragging rights as well as the title that season for the Manchester in Red.
5). 22nd September 2013-Manchester City:4 Manchester United:1
With Sir Alex Ferguson announcing his retirement last season and breaking the hearts of many United supporters around the world. David Moyes was the successor appointed to take charge of this wonderful club with rich history. Having already derby experience, with Moyes previously being the coach of Everton(Merseyside Derby), one would assume that he would know how to approach a fixture of this importance. But it turned out to be a Baptismal fire for the new United boss who looked lost and helpless and had no choice but to witness his team being ripped apart by Manchester City. And was later sacked during the year and eventually saw City lift the English Premier League for the second time in three years.
Forget the scoreline, this fixture always brings out your emotions from joy, despair, anger to sadness. With so much at stake to offer for this fixture everybody in Manchester will be divided for a couple of hours families and friends turn to foes. This fixture has produced some major upsets, emphatic victories, nail biting finishes to the game and stunning goals and i promise you it will not disappoint. With Manchester City having won the last five derbies one would assume that they would reclaim the bragging rights and three points, but with Manchester United this term in resurgent form, and new philosophy are looking formidable at home. It is going be a tough fixture to predict.
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