Erling Haaland extended his remarkable record against Manchester United this weekend, as the forward bagged a brace in Manchester City’s 3-0 derby win at Old Trafford.
Haaland has haunted the club’s cross-town neighbours since arriving into the Premier League last season and has already compiled a formidable record against the Red Devils.
But which players have had the biggest impact on Manchester Derbies in the Premier League era? We’ve listed the five players with the most goals and assists in Manchester Derbies.
The players with the most goal involvements in Premier League Manchester Derbies:
Sergio Aguero – 8 (13 appearances)
Sergio Aguero spent a decade tormenting Premier League defences at Manchester City, with the Argentine’s 184 goals in the division making him the highest scoring overseas player in Premier League history.
Aguero is Manchester City’s all-time record scorer after netting 260 in all competitions for the club and Manchester United were often on the receiving end of his goalscoring brilliance.
Aguero hit eight goals in 13 league appearances against the Red Devils, with his first coming in a famous 6-1 win at Old Trafford in 2011.
Erling Haaland – 8 (3 appearances)
That isn’t a typo.
Erling Haaland has now registered EIGHT goal involvements in just three appearances against Manchester United in the Premier League, after he bagged a brace in the weekend win at Old Trafford.
Haaland had hit a hat-trick on his first Manchester Derby appearance last season, as both the Norwegian and Phil Foden scored trebles in an unforgettable 6-3 win for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Doubling our lead from an @ErlingHaaland header! ???? pic.twitter.com/J6XnpMOA7n
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 29, 2023
Haaland has shattered goal records since signing for the Citizens and is showing no signs of stopping on route to more. He has averaged a goal or assist every 64 minutes as a Premier League player. It’s an unprecedented rate of productivity.
Wayne Rooney – 9 (21 appearances)
Wayne Rooney recorded nine goal involvements in 21 Manchester Derby appearances, including some milestone moments. The forward’s 100th goal in club football and 150th Premier League goal each came against the neighbours.
The best of the lot decided a derby in February 2011, as Rooney produced a moment of magic to win the game for Manchester United. David Silva’s goal looked to have earned City a point, before Rooney acrobatically connected with Nani’s cross to score an overhead kick and one of the greatest goals in Premier League history.
Wayne Rooney, @ManUtd v Man City, February 2011.
Iconic. pic.twitter.com/LhP27xNyoc
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 11, 2023
Eric Cantona – 10 (6 appearances)
One of the most influential figures in Manchester United history, Eric Cantona is often cited as the catalyst that began the club’s dominance of the early Premier League era.
Cantona won four titles in five seasons with the Red Devils, during a period in which Manchester United were the dominant force in the derby. The Frenchman provided 10 goals and assists against Manchester City in Premier League games, including home and away braces in the 1993/94 campaign.
That season saw the forward named as the PFA Players’ Player of the Year as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side won a Premier League and FA Cup double.
Ryan Giggs – 13 (29 appearances)
Ryan Giggs holds the record for the most Manchester Derby goal involvements in the Premier League, having produced 13 goals and assists in the fixture.
The Welsh winger’s career was one of incredible success and longevity, as he became English football’s most decorated player after winning 13 league titles and two Champions League trophies among his honours.
Giggs had spent time in the Manchester City academy before signing for Manchester United aged 14, where he went on to become the club’s all-time appearance maker after 963 games in an illustrious one-club career.
He scored just once against Manchester City, but provided 12 assists against the Citizens. The winger’s defence-splitting pass memorably set up Michael Owen for a dramatic derby winner in a 4-3 thriller in September 2009.
Read – The Premier League’s Greatest Games: Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City
See more – Five of the most memorable Manchester Derby moments