The 170th Manchester derby takes place at Old Trafford on Sunday, and in the 169 previous, there have been some great games and some even greater goals. Here’s a (non-biased) round up of the top 5 best goals scored by United and City players over the years – we’ve gone for quality over importance!
5. David Beckham – City 0-1 UNITED (18/11/00) – The first Manchester derby in 4 years brought much anticipation, with City being promoted back to the Premiership after sinking as far as the old Division 2 towards the end of the 90’s, how the times have changed! The game was decided in just the second minute with a Beckham beauty from miles out, a trademark free kick from our number 7.
4. Sergio Aguero – United 1-2 CITY (08/04/13) – Yes, at number 4 it’s that little Argentine who just always seems to score against us (and everybody else for that matter). It was hard not to have a top 5 of Aguero goals, but this one stands out as the best to me, a superb solo run past 3 or 4 defenders before lashing the ball past de Gea at his near post to clinch victory in Fergie’s final season. The win meant little for City who ended up 11 points behind the Red Devils.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxaZVEg4Udo
3. Shaun Wright-Phillips – CITY 4-1 United (14/03/04) – The first Manchester derby at the new City of Manchester Stadium was most definitely one to forget for the reds. A thumping at the hands of City was rounded off by a thunderbolt shot in off the bar by Wright-Phillips, who went on the inside of Wes Brown before firing over Tim Howard to complete one of City’s most famous derby day victories.
2. Nani – City 2-3 UNITED (07/08/11) – A classic comeback at Wembley from United as they fought from 2-0 down to beat City in the Community Shield. The equaliser from Nani was a magnificent team goal, coolly finished with a deft chip from the winger who was in unbelievable form at the time. The reds won the first battle that season but ultimately very cruelly lost the war, though the less said about that the better.
1. Wayne Rooney – UNITED 2-1 City (12/02/11) – No real surprises here. There’s only one goal worthy of top spot in this list and it’s the breath-taking overhead kick from our captain. Rooney somehow adjusted his body to connect with Nani’s deflected cross and fire past Joe Hart who barely moved as it flew past him in the blink of an eye. I doubt there will ever be a better goal scored in a Manchester derby ever again.
There were many more contenders for both sides… from Bellamy in the 4-3 and Geovanni’s strike in 2007 for City, to Fletcher’s consolation in the 6-1, Hughes and Welbeck’s acrobatic volleys as well as free kicks from Rooney and Van Persie for United.
Do you agree with the top 5? Tweet us @ReadManUtd with any other suggestions!
