Alex MacQuoid
The Manchester derby is one of English football’s most iconic rivalries, contested for the first time in 1881. Manchester United and Manchester City will meet for the 198th time this weekend, renewing a feud that has shaped the footballing identity of the city for well over a century.
City play their home matches at the City of Manchester Stadium in east Manchester, while United reside just over four miles away at Old Trafford in Trafford. Despite the short physical distance, the competitive and cultural divide between the two clubs has always been vast.
All-Time Manchester Derby Head-to-Head Record
Across all competitions, the two sides have met 197 times. Manchester United currently hold the historical edge, although the margin has narrowed significantly in the modern era.
Manchester United: 80 wins
Manchester City: 62 wins
Draws: 55
Remarkably, despite United leading by 18 victories, the two clubs are level on aggregate goals scored in Manchester derbies, with 278 goals apiece.
Manchester Derby Record by Competition
The rivalry has been contested across multiple domestic competitions, though it has never featured in European competition.
Premier League: 57 games (United 26 wins, City 21 wins, 10 draws)
First Division: 104 games (United 35 wins, City 30 wins, 39 draws)
Second Division: 12 games (United 6 wins, City 2 wins, 4 draws)
FA Cup: 11 games (United 7 wins, City 4 wins)
League Cup: 10 games (City 5 wins, United 4 wins, 1 draw)
Community Shield: 3 games (United 2 wins, 1 draw)
Premier League Head-to-Head
Focusing exclusively on the Premier League era, Manchester United retain a narrow advantage. They have won 26 league derbies compared to City’s 21, with 10 draws.
However, City edge the goalscoring stakes in Premier League meetings, leading United 84–79.
City have also won more Premier League matches at Old Trafford than any other visiting side, with nine victories, while only Liverpool have scored more goals there than the Sky Blues.
Record Since the Abu Dhabi Takeover
The balance of power in Manchester shifted dramatically following City’s takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group in September 2008.
Since then, the clubs have faced each other 46 times across all competitions. City hold a slight edge with 21 wins to United’s 20, while also outscoring their rivals 77–59.
Pep Guardiola’s side have been particularly dominant in recent seasons, winning seven of the last 12 Manchester derbies and losing only three.
Biggest Wins & Highest-Scoring Derbies
City have claimed three of the four Manchester derbies decided by a five-goal margin, including two famous 6–1 away wins at Old Trafford in 1926 and 2011.
The highest-scoring derby of all time came in October 2022, when City defeated United 6–3 at the Etihad Stadium, with hat-tricks from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.
United’s most emphatic victory came in 1994, when they recorded a 5–0 win over City.
Recent Manchester Derby Results
Sep 2025: Man City 3–0 Man Utd (Premier League)
Apr 2025: Man Utd 0–0 Man City (Premier League)
Dec 2024: Man City 1–2 Man Utd (Premier League)
Aug 2024: Man City 1–1 Man Utd (Community Shield)
May 2024: Man City 1–2 Man Utd (FA Cup)
Mar 2024: Man City 3–1 Man Utd (Premier League)
Oct 2023: Man Utd 0–3 Man City (Premier League)
Who Does History Favour?
While Manchester United still lead the all-time head-to-head record, the gap continues to shrink. City would require at least 19 more derby wins to move ahead outright, something that would likely take more than a decade given the limited number of annual meetings.
United also retain a significant advantage in league titles, with 20 to City’s 10, despite the Red Devils not lifting the trophy since 2013.
The Guardiola era has brought unprecedented dominance for City, yet Manchester derbies have remained notoriously unpredictable. Even during City’s most successful seasons, United have frequently found ways to disrupt their neighbours.
Final Thoughts
As the 198th Manchester derby approaches, history suggests a rivalry still delicately balanced between past dominance and present supremacy.
United’s tradition and all-time record remain intact — for now. City’s modern success, tactical evolution, and relentless consistency suggest that the long-term battle for Manchester supremacy is far from over.