Man Utd's recent derby history: a rollercoaster rivalry | OneFootball

The Manchester derby remains one of the most intense rivalries in world football.

Over the past five years, the battle between the red and blue halves of Manchester has been a wild ride, with both teams showing flashes of brilliance and moments of heartbreak.

Ahead of both sides doing battle again at Old Trafford on Sunday, let’s break down the key clashes and storylines that have defined this rivalry in recent times

City’s Dominance

When Pep Guardiola took charge of Manchester City in 2016, he completely transformed the club, turning them into a dominant force in English football. Over the past five years, City have been on top in the derby, consistently outplaying their neighbors. Under Guardiola, City became known for their possession-heavy, attacking football, which has often overwhelmed United.

For example, in the 2018-2019 season, City delivered a statement win, crushing United 3-1 at the Etihad. Goals from David Silva, Sergio Agüero, and İlkay Gündoğan put United to the sword in a match that showed just how far City had come under Pep. United, at that point, was still rebuilding under José Mourinho and struggling to match City's quality.

Red Devil Resurgence

While City were the stronger side overall, United managed to turn the tide for a short while, especially in the 2020-2021 season. After a shaky start to the season, United found their rhythm and shocked City in the derby in January 2021 with a 2-0 win at the Etihad. Goals from Anthony Martial (though controversial due to a questionable penalty) and an own goal from City’s goalkeeper Ederson helped United get the win.

dThis moment was a glimpse of hope for United fans, showing that they could still challenge the top dogs. The energy around United was high, but unfortunately, that win was a flash in the pan, and City would go on to dominate the season, winning the Premier League in the end.

The Etihad Curse

One of the key storylines of the last five years has been United’s terrible record at the Etihad. No matter what team United fielded, whether under Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, or Ralf Rangnick, trips to the Etihad usually ended in disaster.

For instance, in the 2021-2022 season, United were absolutely obliterated 4-1 at the Etihad, with goals from City stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez.

It was a humiliating day for United, who couldn’t cope with City’s blistering attack. The game was a reminder of how far behind United had fallen, with the gap between the two clubs growing ever wider.

United’s Fightback

Not all derbies were one-sided. Under Erik ten Hag, United started to show signs of life. In January 2023, they defeated City 2-1 at Old Trafford, a win that gave fans hope for a brighter future. Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford were the heroes that day, as they managed to hold off City’s late push.

It was a moment of pride for United, a signal that they were finally beginning to close the gap to their noisy neighbors. United were more organized under Ten Hag and looked like they were rediscovering their identity. This win was significant not just for the three points but also for the message it sent out: United were back in the conversation.

The Trophy Race

The rivalry between the two clubs reached new heights in 2023. City, having completed a historic treble (Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League) under Pep Guardiola, were at their peak. United, meanwhile, were rebuilding, with Ten Hag leading the charge.

City’s relentless pursuit of trophies left United with much to chase, but Ten Hag's focus on building a competitive squad made the derbies even more interesting. While City still had the upper hand overall, United were no longer a pushover.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, the future of this rivalry looks set to continue with intensity. United made minimal strides under Ten Hag before he was replaced by Ruben Amorim. But with City’s dominance now faltering, the battle for supremacy in Manchester remains wide open.

📸 Michael Regan - 2024 Getty Images