Manchester City and Manchester United travel to Wembley this weekend with dreams of winning silverware, as the local rivals meet in the FA Cup final for the second straight season.
The balance of power in the Mancunian rivalry has shifted significantly over the last decade, with the Citizens having replaced their cross-town neighbours as the Premier League’s dominant force.
Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to complete a domestic double at Wembley, though United will be desperate to stop City in their tracks.
Ahead of the game, we’ve remembered five of the best goals to have lit up clashes between Manchester City and Manchester United.
Five of the best ever Manchester Derby goals:
David Beckham (2000)
David Beckham’s brilliance from dead balls is the stuff of legend and the Manchester United midfielder settled the first Manchester Derby in four-and-a-half years during the 2000/01 season.
The Citizens had been promoted back into the big time after a drop down into the third tier, but ended the derby disappointed after a fantastic free-kick from Beckham settled the game after just 95 seconds.
Fast forward to 1:24 of the below video for a Beckham blockbuster at Maine Road.
Michael Owen (2009)
A great goal remembered for the sheer drama as opposed to its actual difficulty, but can any collection of unforgettable Manchester Derby goals be credible without this effort from Michael Owen?
Owen’s last-gasp winner was the unbelievable conclusion to a thriller between the teams in 2009, as Ryan Giggs picked out the striker deep into stoppage time. A touch to set himself and an underrated outside-of-the-boot finish across the goalkeeper cemented Owen’s place in Manchester Derby folklore.
WHAT. A. GAME.#OnThisDay in 2009, @themichaelowen scored a late, late winner for @ManUtd against @ManCity ????
Greatest Manchester derby in #PL history? ???? pic.twitter.com/NlTRiUGCMg
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 20, 2019
Wayne Rooney (2011)
No contest, really, when discussing the greatest goal scored in a Premier League Manchester Derby.
Wayne Rooney’s astonishing overhead kick claimed bragging rights fo Manchester United during the 2010/11 season, as he acrobatically contorted to connect with Nani’s right-wing cross.
We just couldn’t build up to another Manchester derby without showing this again. pic.twitter.com/61cSC0dJkz
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 3, 2024
Yeah, ok, he might have shinned it. But does that matter? Not one bit. The occasion and execution could hardly have been better. A glorious goal, one of the very best of the Premier League era.
Edin Dzeko (2011)
A goal of which its beauty is in the creation.
David Silva earned the nickname El Mago for his magical performances for Manchester City, with the Spaniard one of the best to ever don the blue shirt. Full of creative quality, one of his finest-ever assists came in the famous 6-1 win at Manchester United during the 2011/12 season.
The touch, sidewinder technique, and weight of pass are just perfect.
And there it is! https://t.co/6feKqVGsSG pic.twitter.com/cki90KIdAb
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 18, 2020
Credit to Dzeko for doing his bit, as the noisy neighbours ran riot at Old Trafford.
Midfield Magicians: David Silva – El Mago
Marcus Rashford (2024)
Marcus Rashford, take a bow.
The Manchester United forward crashed in a spectacular opener at the Etihad earlier this season, unleashing a thunderous effort to stun the Etihad.
A once in a blue moon (excuse the pun) goal from Rashford, with the added aesthetic of bouncing in off the crossbar.
Marcus Rashford that is SENSATIONAL! ???????? pic.twitter.com/FW6jYbGdhe
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 3, 2024
It wasn’t enough, however, as this Phil Foden stunner brought City level. Foden added a second with Erling Haaland also on the scoresheet as the Citizens secured a 3-1 win and local bragging rights.
Top bins! ????️@PhilFoden ✨ pic.twitter.com/1jtRexboiB
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 3, 2024
Read – 10 defining moments in the Manchester Derby rivalry
See more – Manchester Derby: The five top scorers in the Premier League era
