In English Football, the Manchester derby is one of the most exhilarating and intense rivalries, and this 2024 Manchester derby has all the ingredients to present you with an instant classic dish that makes you feel like flying high without wings. The 2024-25 Premier League matchday 16 will be the first Manchester derby of this season between Manchester City FC and Manchester United. This epic event is scheduled for December 15, 2024, at Etihad Stadium (Manchester). The battle between Manchester City and Manchester United used to be called the Manchester Derby, and it is one of the most famous derbies in football. It is not just about winning points but also about the pride and bragging rights of the local community. This game is a highlight of the football calendar for fans and players alike due to its history, passion, and competitive spirit.
The first battle between these two teams occurred on November 12, 1881; at that time, Manchester City was named St.Mark’s (West Gorton), and Manchester United was Newton Heath LYR. The game favored a dominant triumph for Newton Health, the area’s foremost team. They dominated the Manchester Cup, which one won in any given year from 1888 to 1893. At this time, both clubs attempted to gain promotion to the Football League but did not succeed for a few years. Newton Heath tried to join in 1889, 1890, and 1891; Ardwick had a shot at it in 1891, but they eventually joined the Football Alliance instead—another competition in the sport. Finally, in 1892, both teams were admitted to the Football League. Newton Heath joined the First Division, the top league, and Ardwick joined the Second Division. This marked the beginning of their long-standing presence in English football.
Manchester City and Manchester United’s first football league match was in the 1894-95 season when Manchester United defeated Manchester City 5-2. In December 1906, their first meeting at the top level took place, and Manchester City won with a score of 3-0. Around this time, Manchester City was dealing with the fallout from a financial scandal in which they were found guilty of paying illegal salaries to players. Consequently, 17 players were banned from playing for the club again, including key 1904 FA Cup-winning team members. When the bans were lifted in January 1907, four players joined Manchester United, and these plays helped Manchester United to secure their first league title in 1908. This marked the beginning of a long rivalry between Manchester United and Manchester City, which continues to this day. The rivalry has become one of the most intense in football, with both teams vying for supremacy in the English Premier League.
Manchester Derby – Event Details
Teams: Manchester City FC vs Manchester United FC
Date: December 15, 2024 (Sunday)
Time: 11:30 a.m. ET | 8:30 a.m. PT | 10:00 p.m. IST
Venue: Etihad Stadium (Manchester)
Manchester City vs. Manchester United: A Statistical Breakdown
| Competition | Matches Played | City Victories | Draws | United Victories | Goals by City | Goals by United |
| Premier League | 54 | 20 | 9 | 25 | 80 | 77 |
| Football League First Division | 104 | 30 | 39 | 35 | 147 | 141 |
| Football League Second Division | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 13 | 21 |
| FA Cup | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 15 | 21 |
| EFL Cup | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 11 |
| FA Community Shield | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Total | 194 | 61 | 54 | 79 | 274 | 276 |
Last Visit: Manchester City vs Manchester United in the Premier League
On March 3, 2024, the stage was set for the epic showdown at Etihad Stadium (Manchester) in the Manchester derby. Manchester United started the game on the front foot, with their star forward Marcus Rashford opening the scoring early. The Manchester United striker latched onto a through ball and calmly slotted it past the City goalkeeper, displaying his trademark speed and composure. United had the upper hand, and the away section erupted in joy. In the second half of the game, Manchester City’s determination to secure a victory was evident, where Phil Foden scored two goals, one in the 56th minute and another in the 80th minute, and Erling Haaland scored the winning goal in the 90+1′. When the final whistle was blown, Manchester City celebrated after a bitterly contested victory which strengthened their ground in the league and added one more heroic moment to the legendary history of the Manchester derby.
Highest Consecutive Wins
| Number of Games | Football Club | Time Frame |
| 8 | United | November 7, 1993 – November 18, 2000 |
| 5 | United | December 31, 1955 – August 31, 1957 |
| 4 | City | September 25, 1954 – September 3, 1955 |
| 4 | United | December 31, 1960 – February 10, 1962 |
| 4 | City | April 8, 2013 – November 2, 2014 |
Where to Watch Manchester City FC vs Manchester United FC?
You can watch the Manchester Derby through streaming services like Fubo TV and Sling TV Blue in the United States.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the battle between Manchester City and Manchester United on Now TV and Sky Sports.
In India, the match will be available on Hotstar.
Fans in Argentina offer streaming through Disney Plus and ESPN2.
Manchester City and Manchester United will be available on Fubo TV and Canada’s Fubo Sports Amazon Channel.
You can watch the 2024-25 Premier League matchday 16 of the Manchester derby through Canal+ Sport, and in Japan, you can watch via U-NEXT.
Portugal offers streaming through DAZN, and you can enjoy the action in Movistar Plus and DAZN in Spain.
In Germany, the match will be telecasted on WOW and Sky Sports.
Prediction
On matchday 16 of the 2024-25 Premier League, Manchester City and Manchester United are ready for their first Manchester derby this season, on December 15, 2024, at Etihad Stadium (Manchester).
Leading Scorers
- Erling Haaland is the dominant force for Manchester City, with a record of 13 goals and one assist.
- Marcus Rashford is the top scorer for Manchester United, with a record of four goals and one assist.
This 2024-25 season, Manchester City has been consistent, securing several victories and maintaining a strong position in the league. Meanwhile, Manchester United is experiencing a mixed season, with impressive wins and a few losses. In this 2024-25 Premier League season, Manchester City entered as a defending champion, and that was their third Premier League championship. Currently, they are standing fourth in the EPL table with a record of eight wins, three draws, and four losses, and their last five matches were a complete disaster that ended up in three defeats, one draw, and one loss. However, they qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage.
For this matchday 16, they head into a defeat in their Champions League campaign against Juventus with a disappointing score of 2-0. The first half of the game was utterly lackluster from both ends, which puts a high hope in the second half. In the second half of the game, Manchester City struggled to find their netback. Their attack and defense were utterly unbalanced, which gave them a chance for the opponent to score and take the lead, and the game wrapped up with a massive disappointment for Manchester City. In terms of their performance, Manchester City scored 27 total goals with an average of 1.8 points per game. Defensively, they are standing 11th in the table with a total of 21 goals conceded with an average of 1.4 points per game. However, in the average possession, they are standing ahead in the table at 63.6%.
Meanwhile, Manchester United suffered their second defeat in the Premier League against Nottingham, scoring 3-2. In the first half, Rasmus Hojlund scored an 18th-minute goal to tie the game. They didn’t find the rhythm in the first few minutes of the second half, which gave the opponent an advantage and led the game. Later in the 61st minute of the game, Bruno Fernandes, but unfortunately, the early lead made Manchester United suffer their second straight defeat. In the EPL standing table, Manchester United is in 13th place, with a record of five wins, four draws, and six losses. They won two, drew four, and lost six games in their last five matches. Despite several setbacks in the Premier League campaign, they are doing great in the UEFA Europa League and remain undefeated with two wins and three losses.
Their offense is in 14th place, with 20 goals scored and an average of 1.3 points per game. However, their defense was impressive this season, conceding 18 goals, which made them fourth in the defense table. In successful tackles per match, they have 13.1 records and 10.7 interceptions. Given their performances and records, this upcoming Manchester derby will be a close match, but Manchester City will have a slight edge playing at home.
