- by Sabrina Blanks, writing from Charlotte, NC
The first derby between the two sides that would eventually become Manchester City and Manchester United took place almost exactly 129 years ago, and while United dominated the matchup through the 1990s, City have been applying pressure in recent years. For the derby matches played as part of the Premier League, City has 37 wins, United has 57, and there are 48 draws. The overall derby record stands at 42 City wins, 49 draws, and 65 United wins.
Some derby highlights from current United squad members:
4th May 1991 at Old Trafford
- Ryan Giggs makes his first goal with the 1st team, the only goal of the match, for the win.
- Paul Scholes makes the only goal of the match for the win.
- Just after the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster, a moment of silence was respectfully observed, and Michael Carrick scores the only United goal in a 2-1 loss to City.
- Rooney scores the only goal for the ever-so-sweet away win.
- 3 United goals, each followed by equalizers from City, then Michael Owen scores in the 96th minute to win it for United. Welcome to Manchester.
- Scholes scores the only goal of the match in stoppage time for the win. Scholes is the current player who has scored the most derby goals, with 7.
To consider for Wednesday's derby:
Manchester City (6W - 2D - 3L; 4th in table with 15 goals)
- Recent record. Three losses in a row, to Arsenal and Wolves in Premier League and to Polish side KKS Lech Posnań in Europa League. A derby win for City would put them even in the table in points with United.
- Finances. How much effect has the influx of money had on the quality of the squad?
- Morale. Rumors are rife about Mancini/Tévez disagreements; how much will this affect play?
- Tévez's fitness. The former United player says he will be fully fit for the derby.
- Balotelli's red card. One less player in a fairly deep squad; how much will it affect the lineup?
- Injuries and fitness. That dang virus. Berbatov is reported to be fit for play Wednesday after suffering from the virus circulating through the squad, and several other players who played on Saturday despite being under the weather will hopefully be fully rested for the derby. Valencia (ankle), Hargreaves (hamstring), and Rooney (ankle) are all still unavailable. Recent reports list Nani, after a groin pull in the November 4th Champions League match, as probable to appear in the derby lineup. Giggs, after recovering from a recent hamstring tweak, is reported to be fit for Wednesday, which will be his 34th derby. 34...where have I heard that number before...?
- Recent record. On the upswing, and United are, indeed, the only unbeaten side in the Premier League. United have won their last 5 fixtures in all competions, since October 20th. A win for United could keep us 2nd in the table, put us even with Chelsea in points, or move us up to the top spot in the table for the first time this season, depending on Chelsea's result.
- Finances. Where City signed some costly big names over the summer, United signed 3 lesser-knowns for less money. Of these, Hernández in particular has shown some quality, scoring 6 goals in all competitions. Bébé has scored one, no, wait...two goals (thank you, UEFA), and Smalling has been a capable centre back in his appearances so far.
- Scholes and yellow cards. One more and he's over the cumulative limit. This is worrisome.
- Morale. Rooney. Need we say more? The long-term on-pitch effect of Rooney's will-he-won't-he remains to be seen as Rooney is still out due to an ankle injury; however, the recent record suggests that, post-media storm, our boys are doing just fine.
Anyone else care to make a prediction? Leave a Comment!
