Down the decades, United v City has conjured plenty of memories. Here, ManUtd.com speaks to five generations of Reds about their own Derby day experiences...
The 2000s - Gabriel Heinze
Uniteds record at the City of Manchester Stadium does not make pleasant reading for Reds: played 3, won 1, lost 2. The first visit there ended in a miserable 4-1 defeat and last season the Reds were on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline. But, sandwiched between those two is a 2-0 win, and its this match that Uniteds Argentine full-back rates his favourite derby moment. There was a great atmosphere, he says. Wayne Rooney scored first and then Richard Dunne scored an own-goal. It was a good moment and gave our fans plenty of reason to sing. The Reds' opener came from a slick move down the right. Roy Keane found the overlapping Gary Neville; he sent in a low cross and Rooney slotted past David James. And it was Rooneys cross-shot that Dunne sliced into his own net. What you really remember about these games is the total joy and happiness of winning, recalls Heinze. Its a special feeling for players and fans.
The 1990s - Clayton Blackmore
I knew all about the rivalry from the minute I arrived, says Clayton Blackmore. I lived with another United apprentice Andy Hill, who went on to play for City. We shared digs with two young City lads in Stretford. How mad is that? We played in a five-a-side youth tournament between United, City and Bolton. Before we played, the veterans of those teams like Bobby Charlton had friendly five-a-side games. Then us young lads played City and it was like a war zone. We beat City and we beat them up too, it was fierce. The derby which sticks out for Blackmore was the nervy 1-1 draw at OT in 1990, the first game after the (whisper it) 5-1. United were 17th, City 14th. I put us ahead with a diving header, he recalls, but Ian Brightwell equalised. Ive bumped into loads of City fans since and theyve always had a great sense of humour. Some might say they need one
The 1980s - Frank Stapleton
Id had my first taste of Derby games in north London, but Manchester is smaller and the hype was more in your face, says Frank Stapleton. Supporters would approach you on the street and you knew the result really meant something. One derby sticks out for me a 2-2 at Old Trafford in 1982. Both teams flew out of the traps like headless chickens. David Cross, a bargain signing for City, put them ahead with their first attack and though we completely outclassed them, we just couldnt score. Then they went 2-0 up just before half-time. The crowd grew frustrated until I struck a good goal. Good isnt half the story. Stapleton trapped a pass from Arnold Muhren, lost Tommy Caton in one movement and drifted a 20-yard shot past Joe Corrigan. City put everyone behind the ball, recalls Stapleton. Ten minutes from time a corner came in, and I stabbed the ball in from six yards out. We deserved more, but I was happy with my contribution.
The 1970s - Sammy McIlroy
Theres one derby game Ill never forget, and thats my United debut at Maine Road in November 1971, says the Irishman. I was
17 and found out I was playing at 11 oclock on the morning of the game when manager Frank OFarrell said Denis Law had failed a fitness test. At first I was excited as we went for our pre-match meal at Davyhulme golf course, then nervous when we got to Maine Road and I saw all the fans. Thats when it hit me and I thought: Im playing here. Im making my debut in the Manchester derby! Bobby Charlton and George Best calmed me down, telling me to relax, and just to play my normal game. There were 63,000 inside Maine Road and it was a great game of
end-to-end football. City battered us for the first 20 minutes, yet I gave United the lead after George Best had gone on a great run and set me up. What a feeling! Brian Kidd added a second, then City scored twice. John Aston made it 3-2 for United but [Mike] Summerbee made it 3-3 in the last minute. Although we were above them in the league, City were a side with players like their goalscorers [Colin] Bell, [Francis] Lee and Summerbee. But it doesnt matter where the teams are in the league because, as City have shown in recent seasons, anything can happen on derby day. Thats why, despite Uniteds success, the rivalry is still really fierce.
The 1960s - Alex Stepney
My United debut was in the derby 17 September 1966, recalls Alex Stepney. Id played my only game for Chelsea the week before, having been at Stamford Bridge four months. Two days later I was in the company of Tommy Docherty and Matt Busby, a deal was done, and my debut was scheduled for Saturday against City at Old Trafford. I couldnt believe the atmosphere in Manchester. I was put in digs with Jim Ryan on Railway Road behind the Main Stand and people were saying: You have to beat City. Paddy Crerand and George Best made me feel welcome and my aim was simply to keep a clean sheet. Fortunately the crowd took to me straight away Id never experienced anything like the noise. Fans hadnt seen me play before and there were still three other goalkeepers at United, but they saw me come off my line to collect an early cross and applauded. That settled me and boosted my confidence. Denis Law scored the only goal after 21 minutes when he sidefooted past Harry Dowd - and that made me even more determined to keep a clean sheet. The game went very quickly and both teams had a drink together in the players lounge afterwards. I kept my place, so I must have done something right.
