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The Manchester Derby is always an entertaining affair regardless of United or City’s current standing or form.

Although Sunday’s game doesn’t see two sides at the peak of their powers like in recent years it is still sure to be an explosive encounter.

It will be the Final Manchester Derby for Manuel Pellegrini and could also be Louis van Gaal’s last taste of the game.

As one of the biggest matches of the season it is the perfect opportunity to look back at some classic Manchester Derby encounters over the years.

Denis Law relegates United – April 1974

The Scot begrudgingly left United on a free transfer after not being offered a new deal and was snapped up by City where he scored the goal that ultimately relegated his former side. Law, who won two league titles and made over 300 appearances for United, refused to celebrate the goal that condemned the Red Devils to a spell in the second tier.

Fergie out – September 1989

Before Alex Ferguson reached legendary status at United his job hung in the balance thanks to a 5-1 thrashing against City. David Oldfield, Trevor Morley and Ian Bishop put City 3-0 up at half-time before Oldfield grabbed another and Andy Hinchcliffe made it 5-0. Mark Hughes scored a consolation for United but the fans weren’t happy and called for Fergie’s head.

Five star United – November 1994

Barcelona gave United a 4-0 drubbing in the Champions League leading City fans to rush out and buy Barca replica shirts ahead of the derby, but an Andrei Kanchelskis hat-trick ensured the Red Devils had the last laugh and recorded their biggest derby win to date with a 5-0 scoreline.

Roy Keane tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland – April 2001

Keane claims Alf-Inge Haaland, then of Leeds, stood over him and accused him of feigning injury when the Irishman ruptured his cruciate ligaments in 1997. Four years later Keane exacted revenge with a violent and pre-meditated challenge that Haaland, by then a Manchester City player, claimed forced him to cut his career short.

Maine Road’s final curtain – November 2002

The final Manchester derby at Maine Road ended in an emphatic City win thanks to a Shaun Goater brace and a mistake from United defender Gary Neville. Nicolas Anelka put City ahead before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer equalised but Neville’s mistake allowed the hosts to regain the lead and set the tone for a torrid afternoon for the red half of Manchester.

Michael Owen scores in Fergie Time – September 2009

At a time when City were beginning to emerge as a power in the Premier League they showed their potential by coming from behind to equalise on three occasions against United at Old Trafford. Craig Bellamy’s last-minute strike looked to have earned a point for Mark Hughes’ side but in a classic case of Fergie Time Michael Owen sealed a sensational 4-3 win for United with a goal in the 96th minute.

Rooney silences the noisy neighbours – February 2011

With the sides looking set to play out an entertaining draw that helped neither in the context of the title race, Rooney scored a spectacular 78th minute overhead kick to put them four points clear of Arsenal and leave City firmly in the shade.

Why always Mario? – October 2011

You would have thought the result would be the standout memory of a 6-1 City win against United at Old Trafford but, days after setting off fireworks in his bathroom, Mario Balotelli stole all the headlines by revealing a t-shirt which bore the legend “Why always me” after putting City in front.

The post Law, Goater, Rooney and Balotelli – the ultimate Manchester Derby Moments appeared first on TurnStyle +.