Manchester United vs Manchester City: Looking Back on the Last Five Derbies

​Manchester United host Manchester City on Wednesday evening, as the two sides contest a derby which could have huge ramifications in both the title race and the race for the top four.

With United and City both eliminated from the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, both sides can now turn their full attention back to the league.

In City and Liverpool's pulsating fight for top spot, it seems that any dropped points between now and the end of the season would be fatal for either sides' hopes of lifting the Premier League trophy. 

Juan Mata,Raheem Sterling

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the other hand, will be desperate to atone for United's recent poor performances and make one last push for the top four. 


This fixture has provided some classic moments over the years and with so much riding on it this time round, we are sure to see more of the same on Wednesday.

We looked back at the last five Manchester derbies in the ​Premier League:


Man City 3-1 Man Utd - November 2018

Ilkay Gundogan,Kyle Walker

​Pep Guardiola's side were comfortable winners in the reverse fixture earlier this season, as they beat the Red Devils 3-1. The victory maintained ​City's unbeaten start to the campaign and effectively ended United's hopes of a title challenge, as the defeat left Jose Mourinho's men 12 points off the top spot and with a negative goal difference.

Goals early in each half from ​David Silva and ​Sergio Aguero gave City a 2-0 lead. ​Anthony Martial threatened to start a comeback for his side when he tucked away a penalty on the hour mark to make it 2-1. However, substitute Ilkay Gundogan finished a 44-pass move from close range to wrap up the points for the home side.


Man City 2-3 Man Utd - April 2018

Chris Smalling

City dominated the league in 2017/18 and had the opportunity to secure the title at home against ​United in April. Seemingly unstoppable at the time, the Citizens looked set to celebrate in what would have been a dream scenario for their fans.

Goals from ​Vincent Kompany and Gundogan in the first half had the home side on their way to a memorable victory. Mourinho's men had other ideas though, as they came out after the break to complete a stunning turnaround and come away from the Etihad Stadium with all three points.

Two goals in as many minutes from ​Paul Pogba and a volley from Chris Smalling produced one of the most stunning comebacks this fixture has ever seen. Although the title was too far out of their reach, the Red Devils were able to prevent City from lifting the trophy for a little while longer.


Man Utd 1-2 Man City - December 2017

FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-MAN CITY

When the two sides met halfway through last season, City were already looking like champions-elect. With Guardiola's team eight points clear at the top before going to Old Trafford, it was seen by many as Man Utd's last chance to get back in the title race.


One goal apiece just before half time had this tie nicely balanced going into the second half. City were able to edge the home side in the end, as Nicolas Otamendi pounced on a poor clearance to give City all three points and stretch their winning run to 14 games.


Mourinho was left lamenting the referee at the end of the game following his decision not to award the Red Devils a penalty. Afterwards, the Portuguese manager conceded that his side's title hopes were over, as the defeat left them 11 points behind the Citizens.


Man City 0-0 Man Utd - April 2017

FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-MAN UTD

This tie was billed beforehand as the play-off for the top four, but ended with both sides' hopes of achieving that in the balance. The goalless draw was fairly uninspiring throughout, as Mourinho employed his commonly-used tactic of shutting up shop away from home. 

​Marouane Fellaini's headbutt on Aguero five minutes from the end earned him a red card, but the home side did not have enough time to take advantage. Despite registering their lowest possession stats in over a decade (31%), United managed to hang on for a point.

The Red Devils' boss came in for criticism following the game, as his team registered just one touch in the Man City penalty box throughout the entire 90 minutes. Mourinho was not too concerned however, as the draw extended their unbeaten run to 24 games.


Man Utd 1-2 Man City - September 2016

FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-MAN CITY

​The first Manchester derby of the 2016/17 campaign saw the resurgence of the managerial rivalry between Mourinho and Guardiola. Having previously battled it out at La Liga when they managed Real Madrid and Barcelona, the 2016/17 season saw them finally come head to head in the Premier League.

Therefore, the first meeting between the two sides, which took place in September, was in every fan's calendar from the start of the season. And it was Guardiola who came out on top, as his City side ran out 2-1 winners. Zlatan Ibrahimovic pounced on a goalkeeping howler from ​Claudio Bravo, but it wasn't enough to inspire United to come back from the two goals scored by ​Kevin De Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho.


And it was this mistake from Bravo which would become a recurring theme for Guardiola's side throughout the season. The Spaniard recruited the Chilean keeper due to his ability to play with the ball at his feet. But it was his inability to save with his hands which costed Man City on several occasions and eventually led to them recruiting current goalkeeper Ederson.


Source : 90min