Remembering 5 Classic Manchester Derbies

This Monday, Manchester United host Manchester City in one of the most eagerly-awaited fixtures of the season.

The Red Devils clinched a famous 3-2 win at the Etihad the last time these two teams met, with Robin van Persie curling in a late free kick.

Roberto Mancini's side has been left in the dust by their supremely clinical rivals this term, and even with a win next week, would remain 12 points back in the Premier League standings.

This article will remember five of the greatest Manchester derbies in recent times.

Here's hoping Monday's clash will one day be a worthy inclusion on a list like this.

Manchester City 3-3 Manchester United, 1971

In the 1971/72 season, the Manchester rivals drew 3-3 in a thriller at Maine Road.

Back then, the Red Devils' team consisted of the likes of George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, while City possessed the talents of Rodney Marsh and Francis Lee.

In the match, the Citizens fell behind to strikes from Sammy McIlroy and Brian Kidd, but fought their way back to eventually claim a late draw thanks to Mike Summerbee.

Following the match, United promptly went on a four-game win streak, scoring a total of 14 goals in the process.

However, it was City who finished higher in the First Division table come the end of the season. 

Manchester United 5-0 Manchester City, 1994

A fantastic side led by Eric Cantona easily dispatched of Manchester City in a Premier League meeting in 1994.

Although the Red Devils eventually finished the 1994/95 season a close second to Blackburn Rovers, this thrashing of their rivals was a definite high point.

Cantona opened the scoring before Ukrainian winger Andrei Kanchelskis bagged a hat-trick and Mark Hughes put the gloss on the final score.

In the reverse fixture at Maine Road, United also won at a canter 3-0 thanks to strikes from Paul Ince, Kanchelskis and Andy Cole.

Amazingly, City failed to win a single league derby game in the 90s.

Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City, 2011

Manchester United fans won't have felt a more sickening feeling in recent times than watching their beloved side get torn apart by City in 2011.

The 6-1 result was a historic thrashing on the Red Devils' turf, and set the stage for the Blues claiming the title come the season's end.

There was only a single goal in the first half—Mario Balotelli's calmly slotted finish. However, all hell broke loose late on, and City eventually scored three in stoppage time.

When Edin Dzeko made it six, it was clear the home side had already given up.

After the loss, Sir Alex Ferguson revealed: "There’s a lot of embarrassment in the dressing room and quite rightly so" (via ManUtd.com).

Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City, 2009

Here's one we should all remember, even if it's one Mark Hughes would sooner forget.

In quite possibly the greatest, most exciting Manchester derby, United stole a 4-3 win deep, deep into stoppage time thanks to an unlikely hero.

Michael Owen only scored five Premier League goals during his time at Old Trafford, but his 96th minute strike was enough to secure his name in club folklore.

Wayne Rooney and Gareth Barry traded first-half goals, before a Darren Fletcher brace sandwiched a Craig Bellamy stunner in the second half.

In the final minute of normal time, it seemed as if Bellamy had snatched a vital point for the Blues, but step forward Owen and the rest is history.

Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City, 1974

In 1974, it was Manchester United hero Denis Law whose strike for City resigned his former team to the indignation of relegation.

After the goal had been scored, the forward trudged disconsolately down the Old Trafford tunnel, gutted that his effort had sent the Red Devils down.

United fans stormed the pitch before the final whistle was blown and the game was promptly abandoned.

Officials later deemed that the result should stand, not that it made much difference to Tommy Docherty's side.

City's 1-0 win saw them finish in 14th place in the First Division, the Red Devils in 19th.

What other Manchester derbies are particularly memorable? Who will triumph this Monday?

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