The Manchester Derby is the story of a club that dominated English football for decades, before their ‘noisy neighbours’ have tried to take over the city.
Broken legs, verbal jabs, coin throwing; all hatred that brews in the North Western city of Manchester in England - Manchester United - Manchester City.
To fans of Manchester United, this rivalry was nothing until the big money takeover of City in 2008. From 1976 to 2005, City beat United just six times and Manchester was Red without a shadow of a doubt. Since the introduction of the new Premier League era, United have won 13 of a possible 22 Premier League titles.
However, the Red half of Manchester has won just one derby from the past seven as the Blue half have gone on to win two Premier League titles in three years.
To United supporters, the derby is much more than just bragging rights. It is about a club’s rich history and how they accomplished their success. Sir Matt Busby’s Babes and Sir Alex Ferguson’s fledglings epitomize what the club is all about. For over 80 years, United have had an academy graduate in the match day squad, a feat unheard of in the modern game.
Not too long ago, City were in mid-table until they were ‘pumped’ with money to raise them to top of the league table. The Red half of Manchester take offence to this and label it as ‘not-the-true-footballing-way’ to build a squad.
The result of this ‘money’ and the rise of City has seen United not-be-so-successful in recent derbies. Most memorable in recent memory, a 6-1 defeat to at home - a low point of Sir Alex Ferguson’s last few years at the club.
However, supporters rejoiced as Robin van Persie’s late winner at the Etihad in 2012-13 fired the club to a 20th league title; an embody of a club that never gives up and always finds a way to win.
The derby has certainly gained intensity in recent years, with no one able to predict what is to happen. It now holds more meaning than before because of the constant agony of having to remember the neighbours have had more success the past few years.
United supporters hold their side close and dear to them, despising the blue half with regular chants of “what we love most is kicking a blue.” The derby means more than any time before it as they try to reclaim their helm of making Manchester Red again.
The derby is about being able get out of bed and smile at work the next day. These are the type of games football fans live for; the type of games you are able to gloat about your team’s victory and feel a sense of pleasure. The satisfaction a supporter feels when the final whistle blow and you throw your hands into the air in celebration is the best feeling of it all.
The melancholy and misery that comes with your side losing hurts any supporter. Having that constant reminder in the back of your head knowing your side lost to the local rivals is a timid feeling.
United currently sit third in the league standings, a point ahead of their neighbours. A win would be a refresher for supporters that have had to endure the struggle of seeing their side overtaken by the local rivals.
The derby is important to both sides; a massive game of pride for supremacy of Manchester.