The Manchester Derby: Noisy Neighbours At Old Trafford

By Ekene Dike

Old Trafford will host Sunday’s mouthwatering Manchester derby fixture between the Red Devils and the defending champions in the English Premier League.

Manchester United have triumphed over Manchester City twice this season at the Etihad Stadium. The first was a 2-1 victory in the Premier League in December. The second was the 1-0 win in the second leg of the Carabao Cup Semifinals.

Hitherto, Manchester City had enjoyed vanquishing of Manchester United at Old Trafford.

While it is Pep Guardiola’s hope to continue winning on enemy territory, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer will be enthusiastic to put an end to losing to their ‘noisy neighbors’ on home soil.

Bu then, the past might come back to hunt the Red Devils as they have succumbed to defeats in front of the home fans against their ruthless rivals.

In 2011, Manchester City massacred Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League. Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero , Edin Dzeko and David Silva were the stars of the show. The major talking point of the day was Mario Balotelli’s iconic celebration after his second goal. The Italian pulled off his jersey in order to show the world a boldly written “why always me” on his T-shirt.

That victory inducted Manchester City as the new Kings of English football as they went on to become Champions of England.

Manchester City replicated another derby demolition at Old Trafford in 2014 as Edin Dzeko scored twice and Yaya Toure also found the back of the net to secure a 3-0 win. That victory was crucial as Manuel Pellegrini’s City clinched the Premier League title and David Moyes couldn’t fit into the giant shoes left by Alex Ferguson to lead Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho had the chance to right the wrongs of his predecessors in the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford when he hosted Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Cuty in 2016. Kevin De Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho combined well to score two first half goals, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled one back as the game ended 2-1 in favor of Pep Guardiola’s team.

The fairytale at Old Trafford continued in 2017 and 2019 as Manchester City won twice with 2-1 and 2-0 score lines.

Nevertheless, it is evident that Manchester City have been superior to the Manchester United at Old Trafford in recent times.

But, the quest to end this subservience can trigger the Red Devils in front of the cheering home supporters.

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