Manchester United v Manchester City PL match programme, 06.04.25

REDS

v BLUES : PART 196

After our dramatic league win at City in December, today the Manchester derby returns to M16

MANCHESTER UNITED

24/25 HOME JERSEY

“I know everyone who loves United will be up for this game and I hope everyone in the stands and on the pitch works together”

TRuben AMORIM

o me, it is clear to see we are making progress in our performances, but we need to ensure that we improve our results.

On Tuesday evening at Nottingham Forest, we should have taken three points but ended up coming home with none. That outcome was frustrating, of course, but we controlled the game. Our play felt more natural and some promising opportunities passed us by, so we know that we should have had a different outcome. We didn’t help ourselves by conceding so early on and giving

Forest exactly the situation they wanted, so we have nobody to blame but ourselves. Only we can control how we react from here, and today we have a huge fixture to focus on as we welcome Pep Guardiola and Manchester City to Old Trafford.

We all know how much the Manchester derby means to everyone involved, but coming at this important stage in the season means that both sides will be giving absolutely everything for a positive result. We have eight more games to go in this season’s Premier League and we want to finish as high in the table as we can, so we have to go for the three points today.

It will not be easy, but we know that we can repeat December’s derby result and win this game if we play to our potential. It is a tough

fixture, of course, but it is also an exciting one. These are the kind of games where the whole world is watching, the kind of games you dream about and look forward to, whether you are a player or a supporter. I know everyone who loves United will be up for this game and I hope that everyone in the stands and on the pitch works together and drives each other forward as we look to bounce back with an important result.

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB LTD

Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Michael Edelson, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE, Omar Berrada, Sir Dave Brailsford, Jean-Claude Blanc

Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards

After the midweek defeat to Forest, the Reds have been stepping up preparations to get a busy April back on track, starting with today’s visit of our cross-city rivals

READY FOR BATTLE

Ruben’s Reds have it all to do in the Premier League, but know derby success could be a catalyst for the rest of the campaign...

Welcome to Old Trafford, for one of the biggest home fixtures of the season: the Manchester derby.

A visit from the Blues is a big deal in any year and, while this has been a fallow campaign for both of Manchester’s major clubs so far, the anticipation levels for today’s match have barely flickered. City are mired in the fight for a Champions League spot, while United are striving to join the larger group of teams sat within the lower echelons of the top half.

But the wider context around both clubs will surely slide to the side once the referee’s whistle blows for kick-off today. It’s the Manchester derby and, for 90 minutes, that’s all that will matter to the 73,000-plus crowd we’re expecting.

Ruben Amorim’s Reds will be desperate to make up for Tuesday’s highly frustrating 1-0

defeat at Nottingham Forest, where we mustered 23 shots on goal to the hosts’ eight, but could not find a way through their obdurate defence.

Pep Guardiola’s team hosted Ruud van Nistelrooy’s beleaguered Leicester City the following night – and secured a 2-0 win – but the major news from the Blues’ camp this week is that leading forward Erling Haaland will be absent for the next five or six weeks due to an ankle injury suffered in last weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth.

The Etihad club have plenty of other attacking options – January signing Omar Marmoush scored against both the Cherries and the Foxes – but,

however our local rivals set up this afternoon, United will be encouraged by the two major wins we achieved against City last year.

Strangely, our record against Guardiola’s men is better away from Old Trafford (six wins from 13 games) than it is in M16 (three wins in 11).

But unpredictability is baked into the history of the Manchester derby – remember the Paul Pogba-inspired comeback of 2018? Or City’s shock win here around the 50th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster? Who knows what’s waiting for us out there today. The only thing that’s certain is that we always need your help to get us over the line in these fixtures. Let’s stand together today, and get right behind the lads. Come on, Reds!

Bruno retains monthly award

Bruno Fernandes won United’s Player of the Month award for the second month in succession recently, after fans voted him our outstanding player in March. The captain scored six times, and provided two assists, in just five appearances, garnering a monumental 89 per cent in our supporters’ poll. Matthijs de Ligt (eight per cent) and Casemiro (two per cent) finished second and third, respectively. Fernandes also took our Goal of the Month prize, for his excellent free-kick in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal. Magnifico, Bruno – keep it up.

Another highly influential month from our skipper saw fans

SKINNER SIGNS NEW CONTRACT

Marc Skinner will remain as head coach of Manchester United Women until June 2027, after penning a new contract. Since joining the Reds in 2021, Skinner has orchestrated the team’s first major trophy, the 2024 Women’s FA Cup, and has led the side to the brink of Champions League qualification this term – something he previously achieved in 2022/23. Technical director Jason Wilcox said: “Marc’s record since taking charge speaks for itself. We have an exciting, developing squad ready to compete for further success, and we are convinced that Marc is the right coach to lead that process.” For more news from United Women, turn to section 14.

The introduction of semi-automated offside technology is one of two big recent updates from the Premier League

PL CHANGES

ANNOUNCED

Semi-automated offside technology will be used in one of United’s Premier League games for the first time next weekend, when we travel to Newcastle United. The new system has been trialled in the FA Cup during recent months, and will now be introduced for Premier League games, starting with Manchester City’s home game against Crystal Palace next Saturday. The Premier League also confirmed that the summer transfer window will open early this year (1 June), due to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Trades can be made until 10 June, before the tournament begins, and the window will then reopen on 16 June, running until Monday 1 September.

agreed a

2

SCAN HERE FOR THE LATEST TICKET INFORMATION

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Skinner has

contract that will see him lead our women’s team until the summer of 2027

vote him the star player for March

FRUSTRATION AT FOREST FOR REDS

Early goal wins the points for high-flying hosts, as Amorim’s United are unable to reap the rewards of a controlled away performance...

Ruben Amorim’s Reds showed some encouraging signs at Forest on Tuesday night but, sadly, they were unable to convert dominance on the ball into goals, slipping to a narrow defeat in the Premier League.

United quickly settled at the City Ground and created the first real opportunity: Bruno Fernandes rounding off a neat piece of team play by firing a goalbound strike that Matz Sels was fortunate to only spill for a corner. However, from the resulting set-piece came the game’s only goal. Two Fernandes deliveries from the left were cleared and, when the second fell to Anthony Elanga, the United Academy graduate

set off on an 85-metre sprint that resulted in him tucking in a fifth-minute opener against the early run of play.

Having fallen behind, the task of taking down Nuno Espirito Santo’s high-flying side was always going to be more difficult – but the Reds restored control of possession, producing plenty of slick passing moves, and went close through Diogo Dalot, who flicked another Fernandes corner on to the crossbar.

The pattern of United being on top, with Forest sitting on their lead, continued into the second half. Alejandro

(right), operating from the

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1 Elanga 5

MANCHESTER UNITED 0

United XI: Onana; Yoro (Maguire 88), De Ligt, Mazraoui; Dalot, Ugarte (Hojlund 46), Casemiro (Eriksen 59 ), Dorgu; Garnacho , Fernandes (c); Zirkzee (Mount 78)

Unused substitutes: Bayindir, Lindelof, Amass, Kone, Collyer

left after half-time, looked the biggest threat to Forest’s resolve, but could only watch a series of shots veer off target before substitute Mason Mount curled a shot narrowly wide with one of his first touches. Amorim’s final roll of the dice saw him throw Harry Maguire up front, and our no.5 almost grabbed what would have been a deserved point in injury time – first heading wide, then seeing a close-range stab cleared off the line. So ended a promising but ultimately disappointing night.

Garnacho

A late net-bound effort from substitute and makeshift forward Maguire is cleared off the line as Forest hold firm for the three points

UNITED BY SNAPDRAGON

SCAN FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A SNAPDRAGON POWERED LAPTOP AND SIGNED JERSEY

READING MATTER

Nice choice of reading, Andre! Our Cameroonian keeper takes a look through United Review in Old Trafford’s home dressing room ahead of last month’s fifth-round FA Cup tie with Fulham. The matchday programme is always available for players to peruse ahead of a game, as just one of the many ways that Onana and his team-mates find to fill the hours between arriving at the stadium and beginning their final preparations for a match. Manchester United has had a matchday programme in some format since our days as Newton Heath LYR in the 1880s, even if back then it was little more than a piece of card listing the two line-ups. For a time, during the 1890s, there was a programme that every weekend covered not only our matches but those of today’s visitors Manchester City, plus Broughton Rangers and Salford rugby league teams. Much has changed since then, of course, as you’ll know from reading today’s derby programme –which is the 25th issue of UR produced so far this season. Happy reading!

RASMUS ENDS HIS WAIT

Before March’s international break, Hojlund produced a superb opener at Leicester to return to goalscoring form, while serving up a reminder of his brimming potential...

Rasmus enjoys the celebrations after returning to the scoresheet with our opener at the King Power last month

In a nutshell...

The Reds signed off for the recent international break with a comfortable 3-0 win at struggling Leicester City, where the deadlock was broken by Rasmus Hojlund. Despite his immense work for the team, the Dane had gone without a goal of his own since a Europa League brace at Viktoria Plzen in December, but ended his 21-game wait with an excellent effort to set Ruben Amorim’s side on the way to three points.

Okay, give us more detail…

Selected to lead the line at the King Power Stadium as the Reds went in search of a Premier League victory, Danish international Hojlund required just under half-an-hour for his long-awaited moment. Inevitably, skipper Bruno Fernandes was involved, clipping an arced 20-yard pass over the shoulder of Foxes midfielder Boubakary Soumare and into the path of United’s no.9. Picking up possession in the right channel, 35 yards from goal, bridling the ball with his left foot while advancing into the hosts’ penalty area, Hojlund assessed his options. With Soumare gaining ground, centre-back Wout Faes coming over to cover and goalkeeper Mads Hermansen staying in his six-yard box, the 22-year-old opted to try his luck with his right foot. Although on his slightly less-favoured side, Hojlund’s effort hurtled inside the far post, putting United into the lead and sending the travelling section into raucous scenes of celebration. Bellowing his relief skywards, the goalscorer also dusted off his ‘gladiator’

celebration, revelling in the moment after coming under such intense scrutiny throughout the Reds’ winter travails.

What’s the significance?

“I’m obviously very happy to get my goal and it gives me a lot of confidence,” Hojlund explained in his post-match interview, before expanding on his efforts to find his feet in the Reds’ evolving approach since the November arrival of head coach Amorim. “I think it comes down to my performances as well,” he continued. “I think I’ve not been on top of my game as I wanted to, and we’re still adapting to a new system and some new positions. But I think I’ve been growing into it lately and starting to look a bit better. He [Amorim] wants me to stretch the pitch, I think that’s quite obvious, and get me into the channels and keep keeping the centre-backs occupied. That’s what I’m trying to do. I think I’ve got a good amount of speed and that’s what I’m here for.”

Having found his way back on to the scoresheet, Rasmus duly continued his upturn in form on the international stage (right), netting Denmark’s Nations League winner against Portugal and, although he was reserved for a substitute’s cameo in last Tuesday’s return to Premier League action at

Left: Our no.9 unleashes his net-bound effort under pressure from the

Below: The Danish forward says he will continue working hard to apply Amorim’s instructions and keep pressing the opposition defences

Forest, his increasing sharpness in front of goal could be a key attribute during the Reds’ run-in.

And how did that go down?

For Amorim, having his no.9 back among the goals was a source of excitement and relief. “It’s really important for Rasmus,” said the Portuguese. “He’s doing the right things, helping the team, fighting for every ball. He scored a very good goal and I think he deserved it more than anybody. It was a difficult goal with difficult control with his right foot.” As the Reds head into the final eight games of the current Premier League campaign, starting with today’s titanic Manchester derby, Amorim is keen for his side to quickly bounce back to winning ways following Tuesday’s narrow loss at Forest, stressing: “We are improving the way we play football; we have to improve the way we score goals. That is a characteristic we need clearly to improve to win matches.” With Hojlund on a run of two goals in his last four outings for club and country, it seems likely that Amorim’s no.9 will be central to those demands over the coming weeks as the Reds look to end a taxing season on the up.

Leicester defence as the travelling Reds erupt in celebration

DALOT Diogo

“In these type of games, you have to be focused from start to end”

Like the rest of us, Diogo Dalot has fond memories of the grand finale at the Etihad back in December, and he knows cool heads will be needed once more if the Reds are to prevail again, both today and in the weeks ahead...

From your experiences so far, Diogo, what makes the Manchester derby so unique?

There’s the history, the rivalry – I would say it’s a game that everybody wants to watch, and everybody wants to play in. That makes it special. So we’re looking forward to a big game in our stadium, with a big atmosphere.

We’ve got good memories from the FA Cup final last season – arguably the high point of the last decade for our fans. What do you remember from that glorious derby win? We went to that game with a mindset that we really wanted to have that trophy for us, for the fans. They deserved it after a tough season. The derby is a type of game that makes the club feel special, and the fans appreciate a win like this. So it has to give us that motivation also [to win the latest derby], to give the fans a bit of joy on Sunday. I think it will be great to be in the stadium and hopefully we can win.

Was anything different in the preparation for that Cup final? There was talk of motivational videos and motivational work beforehand... We had our normal preparation. Obviously, you go into a final, you don’t need too much motivation because a game like that gives you enough by itself. For this game against City, we have to recover well because the games are coming fast now. But at the same time, we’re going to play one of the best games you can play in the Premier League, so that has to give you a little extra when you come on to the pitch.

That Cup final win was a great example of how the squad came together on the day. Is that how you feel this week, that everyone’s in this together?

Yeah, and that game showed that sometimes, no matter the form, no matter the previous results, when you go to a derby, or a game like this, anything can happen. And I think every

United fan that comes to Old Trafford on Sunday will expect that something special can happen, and they can see a good game. We have to give everything we can to give that performance. But, in the end, we want to win. That’s our focus.

We’ll be looking to do the double over City after the league win at the Etihad earlier in the season. What are your memories of that game as well – it was some comeback, wasn’t it... I think it was a good game to show that no matter the result, we try to keep playing and try to keep doing what we planned for that day. And in the end, we got rewarded. So on Sunday, we have to be like that – knowing that they have a very good team and it’s going to be a difficult game, but if you want to win these type of games, you have to be focused from the start to the end.

As for the whole derby experience, are there any atmospheres that stick in your mind from playing in such games over the years?

Every game you play against the big teams, and European nights, are always special, but when you play City, Liverpool, I think the atmosphere... you can feel it. It’s a little bit different, for the better, so I’m expecting exactly the same on Sunday. When the stadium is like that, when the fans are with us, it gives us an extra boost.

It’s been a challenging time, but we’ve done well in these big games against City and Liverpool over the past year or so. Do you

“In games like this, everything can happen. So we have to be prepared for any scenario, and at the same time be confident”

think the team, mentally and psychologically, are really on it for these opponents? And do you know why that might be the case? These are almost like one-off games. You know that to win these type of games, you have to be in your best form, best shape, mentally and physically. So on Sunday, it will be one more of these games. Obviously, we want to win. We want to do it in a controlled way and we want to do what we can to plan for the game. But in games like this, everything can happen. So we have to be prepared for any scenario, and at the same time go on to the pitch really confident.

It feels a long time since we played at Old Trafford, and the fans will have a big impact... Yeah, I think the fans are the most consistent thing about this club – the way they support the club, they support us, the staff, the manager. So that we can expect. Obviously, we have to give them something back and hopefully it’s a win.

There will be no Erling Haaland for City in this game, but they’ve got a lot of strength in depth. Omar Marmoush came on and scored in the last game against Bournemouth... When you play against such good teams as City, you always have two or three options per position. So, we’re expecting a very good side, no matter the players that are on the pitch.

After the game at Forest, you said you could see signs that things were coming together. Is that a benefit of having the break, and having a bit more time to prepare – that you can see things are starting to click?

I think we showed that we did enough to win the game, but in the end what matters is the result. Obviously, that’s what everybody’s going to look at. So we have to, step by step, keep trying to go towards the direction we want to go. And I think the results will be the last thing that will come, unfortunately. We can be this team that wins one or two games and then loses or draws, but we want to be more consistent. And for that we have to build the way we want to play, the way we control the games. You can start seeing that now, but it’s just about turning that into results. That’s the ultimate goal and I think it will come.

You’ve got a few goal involvements of late – and you were very close to scoring with a header at Forest. Is that from adapting to that role of where we want you in the final third? I started being a little bit more up the pitch [at Forest]. I still think I can get into even better positions and arrive a little bit more, and that’s the challenge I have. The qualities are there. It is just trying to adapt also to the new way of playing and trying to help the team as much as I can.

We read an interview with you recently talking about ‘one per cent improvements’. That seems a big part of your mentality –trying to improve every day. How important is that to you, to get those marginal gains? Yeah, it is important. I always try to see, what can I improve on, what can I change? I have that type of belief that there’s always something you can improve. So I’m constantly trying to see ways of improving my game, the way I live, my profession and my daily life. If I have that approach, ultimately I think it will benefit the team.

Working hard at the training ground as Diogo and his fellow Reds prepare for the final two months of the season

We remember speaking to Rapha Varane and he said the body is almost like a Formula 1 car – is that how you see things as well? Once you start looking at your body as your tool to succeed, to work, then you can start knowing your body a little bit more – you know the timings, you know the loads, you know the best ways to recover, the best ways to push even more. And that comes with time. I mean, you cannot ask an 18 or 19-year-old player to know their body like that, and even myself [aged 26], I’m starting now to understand it a little bit, but I think it will take even a couple more years to be in the right spot to understand everything about my body. I’m very curious about whether I can improve my game on and off the pitch to be ready. But like I said, ultimately, I think that’s what we have to do to benefit the club. It’s a way of trying to get to the best level if you want to be able to play in the way football is going now, which can be 60-70 games per season if you’re at a top-level team. You need to start to be prepared for that because it will get really exhausting for the body [if you don’t].

Another thing that can be tiring is pressure. But again, we saw you say that you’ve been used to that since you come here, and you feel you can handle that perfectly now... Yeah, I think it’s something that you learn. You cannot teach how it is to be a Manchester United player, or a person working at this club. You only realise once you arrive here. You can have an idea, but once you step in, then you realise how big is this club, how much the pressure is and you start knowing how to deal with these type

“Once you start looking at your body as your tool to succeed, then you know the best ways to push even more. That comes with time”

of situations. I’ve been here for quite a while now and have been through every scenario.

And that could be crucial in terms of the Europa League. It’s our one remaining chance of a trophy this season and there’s a big reward with the Champions League place next term as well. So the pressure will be on… The pressure is always there. You start the season and you can see the expectation is always that United has to fight for every trophy. So it’s something normal. Obviously this will have a little bit extra because if you win the Europa League you can play Champions League next year. And that’s the only chance we’re going to have to play European football. But at the same time, that little extra pressure has to give you more motivation. So I look to it like that and you can feel it when we are playing Europa League games – you feel that the club really wants it, the fans really want it. We just need to combine that energy and put it on the pitch towards the goal that we want.

We’re unbeaten still in the Europa League this season, so we’ve got the pedigree there... It doesn’t matter if you’re unbeaten if you don’t win it. So hopefully we can be unbeaten until the end! But it’s a good sign that we’ve been doing really well this season in the Europa League. We just want to keep doing until we play in Bilbao.

The pressure was on against City in the FA Cup final – not just to win the Cup but again it got us into Europe and it could be similar again in the last game of this season. If we are in Bilbao, that pressure will be there, but we’ve shown in the past that we can handle that... Yeah, obviously we still have a long way to go. But our goal has to be that. But until we arrive there, we have some small steps to give. There’s no point in thinking too much ahead, because we still have opportunities to improve, and big challenges to go through. One starts on Sunday against City, and then we go to Lyon. I think that’s the mentality we need to have.

The Portuguese wide man played the full 90 minutes when we last faced City – his sixth Manchester derby appearance for the Reds

MANCHESTER CITY

UNDONE

BY TWO

LATE GOALS

IN DECEMBER’S DERBY DEFEAT AT THE ETIHAD, THE REIGNING CHAMPIONS ARE HERE FOR REVENGE, AND TO MAKE UP GROUND ON THE LEADING PACK...

Nickname: The Citizens/ Citizens, The Blues, The Sky Blues

Founded: 1880 (as St Mark’s (West Gorton))

Ground: Etihad Stadium (capacity 53,400)

Last season: Premier League, 1st

Top achievements:

English league champions: 1936/37, 1967/68, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24

FA Cup winners: 1904, 1934, 1956, 1969, 2011, 2019, 2023 League Cup winners: 1970, 1976, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Champions League winners: 2023

Cup Winners’ Cup winners: 1970 UEFA Super Cup winners: 2023

NEED TO KNOW

Pep Guardiola will hope last weekend’s come-from-behind 2-1 victory at Bournemouth will prove the moment that City’s listing season finally righted itself. Rushed off their rhythm by the Cherries’ relentless first-half high press, City roared back after the interval with a front-foot display that owed much to academy star Nico O’Reilly’s half-time introduction. Naturally an attacking midfielder, the 20-year-old almost single-handedly injected energy and impetus as an overlapping left-back to set up goals for Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush.

Defeat at the same stadium in November ended City’s 32-game unbeaten league run and sparked their 2024/25 slump, with last week’s revenge mission in Dorset only a fifth away win in 16 away outings in all competitions since. In their quest for control, Guardiola’s side had become too one-paced as opposition sides have increasingly adopted the Bournemouth tactic of swarming the back four and an ageing midfield that’s badly missed the tempo-setting of injured Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.

“What we missed this season was heart, soul; the desire from how we’d done it for many, many years,” said Guardiola after his side reached a seventh successive FA Cup semi-final. “The most important thing is to recover this passion.”

Finding a balance

Helped by another 30-goal season in all competitions for Haaland, they retain one of the most potent attacking forces in English football – only league leaders Liverpool had out-scored

TACTICS BOARD

Haaland registers goal no.29 for the season as he gets City up and running from the spot during their Ethiad draw with Brighton prior to the international break, but the striker won’t be involved today

Latest news from the City camp, plus profiles and tactics...

City before the midweek round of fixtures. Though the ankle injury Haaland picked up at Bournemouth will see him miss “five to seven weeks”, as Guardiola confirmed this week, Marmoush’s FA Cup winner proved he can be as effective as a centre-forward replacement as the no.10 foil to the Norwegian hitman.

Aside from Haaland’s 30-goal haul, only Phil Foden has notched double figures this term, but the sense of collective is strong, with Kevin De Bruyne impressing off the inside-left channel last weekend. And when they get things right, City remain devastating, as evidenced by their 2025 wins against West Ham, Ipswich, Chelsea and Newcastle, by a cumulative 14-2 scoreline.

The use of wide defenders as half-backs to offer extra rotation and solidity in central areas remains key to Guardiola’s side. There remain tweaks, though: Nico O’Reilly’s half-time introduction on the overlap from left-back against Bournemouth pushed Josko Gvardiol into centre-back duty and prefaced a switch from 4-2-3-1 (right) to a 4-3-3 formation, allowing Kevin De Bruyne to drift more centrally from a left-wing starting position. In sacrificing control for a little more off-the-cuff creativity, Guardiola is trying to restore his side’s fear factor, while retaining possession through two of three central midfielders in O’Reilly, Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan. Elsewhere, Jeremy Doku’s incessant dribbling – the Belgian has more successful take-ons and carries the ball forward more than any other top-flight player this term – offers a point of difference when trying to unlock low-block defences, particularly important while Erling Haaland is out through injury in the weeks ahead.

Defensively is where problems lie. Before hosting Leicester on Wednesday, City had conceded 40 league goals, the worst record in the top six, as Abdukodir Khusanov settles at centre-back following a mid-season move from Lens, and Matheus Nunes adapts to right-back. In the middle of the park, Nico Gonzalez has helped plug the Rodri-shaped hole as the race for Champions League spots enters the final stretch.

“It would be nice to arrive in the final of the FA Cup and win it, and qualify for the Champions League,” says Guardiola. “That would be a big success but the season has been poor and it’s not going to change.”

THE CROATIAN PEP

Josko Gvardiol

Gvardiol shares more than just a similar name with his manager – Josko is a Croatian derivative of Josep. A deep tactical thinker and in-game analyst, the 23-year-old defender has adapted superbly as an inverted left-back who occupies central half-spaces to stop counterattacks. His career-best five league goals this season is testament to his attacking threat, too – not bad for someone who, unable to break through as a Dinamo Zagreb teenager, considered working in the capital’s Dolac fish market with his father.

EGYPTIAN NO.7

Omar Marmoush

Guardiola was in desperate need of fresh impetus in January, his Manchester City side’s one win in 13 games across the two previous months crying out for a flexible, mobile forward who could play off the left, as a no.10 or up top alongside Erling Haaland. The former Bayern Munich coach asked about players back in Germany and the feedback was unequivocal: sign Marmoush. “There was a high opinion in many things; behaviour, in training sessions, goals,” said the City boss recently. “He’s young and comes here to make his career. He’s a player that we missed [this season], his movements in behind and his pace.” With 37 goals and 20 assists in 18 stellar months with Eintracht Frankfurt, the sought-after 26-year-old has added some essential attacking-midfield zip to City. A mid-February hat-trick in the 4-0 shellacking of Newcastle served notice of Marmoush’s finishing prowess, while a devilish turn preceded a cute effort from the edge of the area in the 2-2 draw with Brighton last month. Last weekend Marmoush scored the winner against Bournemouth after replacing the injured Erling Haaland and he seems likely to play through the middle again today.

FINDING FORM

Phil Foden

Foden hasn’t quite hit last season’s PFA and FWA Player of the Year award-winning heights but the 24-year-old still has 10 goals and six assists in all competitions to his name in 2024/25. Increasingly deployed as a central playmaker, as opposed to the inside-forward position off the right he has occupied for much of his City career, the 45-cap England international can utilise a dizzying array of turns, feints and delicious weight of pass in the tightest of spaces.

THE SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

DEFENDERS

PLAYER

MIDFIELDERS

PLAYER AGE NATION

Bruyne 33 Belgium

Bernardo Silva 30 Portugal

Matheus Nunes 26 Portugal Phil Foden 24 England Oscar Bobb 21 Norway

Nico O’Reilly 20 England

James McAtee 22 England

FORWARDS

PLAYER AGE NATION

Omar Marmoush 26 Egypt

Erling Haaland 24 Norway

Jack Grealish 29 England

Jeremy Doku 22 Belgium

Savinho 29 Brazil

Claudio Echeverri 19 Argentina

Divin Mubama 20 England

THE RIVALRY...

‘A pleasant game’ between St Mark’s and Newton Heath was reported by the Ashton Reporter following a friendly contest in 1881, but the future competitive meetings between City and United would feature far more intensity. City (if not directly Denis Law, as the myth goes) rubber-stamped United’s relegation in 1974, but the Reds would dominate much of the next three decades. A late Michael Owen winner in a 4-3 classic in 2009 is one 21st-century highlight, with revenge coming two years later in a big City win. Two recent FA Cup finals [right] prove the rivalry is as strong as ever...

Manchester City’S RECORD v UNITED

Classic picture

You don’t see goalposts like this anymore... well, certainly not in an FA Cup final! This 92-year old photo was taken at Wembley Stadium, two days before the 1933 FA Cup showpiece between Wilf Wild’s City and Everton. As the groundstaff made their preparations, away from the stadium there was much anticipation for the final between two talented teams from the North West. Yes, the Toffees had Dixie Dean, but City had Eric Brook, an attacker with an equally ferocious shot. And in midfield for City that day was a 23-year-old Scot by the name of Matt Busby. The future Reds boss would wear no.19 that day, while Book had no.12. The reason? It was the first FA Cup final in which players donned a number to help them be identified, with Everton given 1-11, and City 12-22. Unfortunately for City, the Toffees were too good for them, winning 3-0, but City would get their hands on the trophy for a second time a year later. Fast-forward nine decades and City are chasing an eighth success in the competition, with a Wembley semi-final date with Nottingham Forest to come later this month.

→ Ernest Mangnall (right) is the only manager to bridge the Manchester divide. Reds boss from 1903 to 1912, the moustachioed Boltonian was in charge for our first two top-flight titles and first FA Cup before moving to City, where he stayed for 12 years. Magnall was central to our 1910 move to Old Trafford, as well as City’s to Maine Road in 1923.

→ As one of four players at a financially embattled City to cross town to the Reds in January 1907, Sandy Turnbull became the first of 14 United players to be sent off in the Manchester derby the following December, for striking winger George Dorsett.

→ Aged 16 years and 19 days, David Gaskell (right) became the Reds’ youngest player in the 1956 Charity Shield v City. The Reds’ fifth-choice keeper, Gaskell was pulled as a spectator after injury to no.1 Ray Wood and, wearing some borrowed boots, was Man of the Match as United won 1-0.

→ Peter Schmeichel is unbeaten across 13 derbies for both clubs. The Great Dane won eight and drew three for the Reds against City, before one win and a draw for the Blues in 2002/03, his final season as a professional.

A Different Kind of Derby WE ALL

FOLLOW

UNITED!

fan Story : our biggest rivals p 30-31 / your messages and pictures p 32-36

The lack of United fixtures during the international break couldn’t stop these Reds from finding some football action...

Is there anything more intense than a local derby? Well, maybe. How about a football battle between two wings of the same family?

That’s what occurred during the international break last month, when the Manchester United Supporters’ FC (MUSFC) took on The Red Army FC (TRA) – the latter side containing no fewer than 11 players who used to represent the former!

The match, which was part of the IFA English Supporters League (which the United Supporters team have won for the last two seasons) took place at the home of Ashton United, and saw our official supporters’ side run out 5-1 winners.

TRA – a fan group dedicated to improving the Old Trafford atmosphere – took an early lead courtesy of a controversial penalty, converted by Tez Armstrong, but MUSFC soon roared back via Myles Bruce.

After the interval, Matt Smith edged United in front, before Bruce completed a ‘perfect’ hat-trick (left foot, right foot, header) and Domico Connolly completed the 5-1 scoreline.

“Saturday’s game was played in a true derby spirit,” said MUSFC coach Andrew Kilduff, “with the TRA determined to show that experience can overcome youth! Overall, it was a decent game of football that was enjoyed by a small crowd of regular match-going United supporters and some Ashton fans, who watched before they headed to their main team’s game at Leek.”

If any supporters are interested in finding out more about the United Supporters’ team and how they can get involved, links and further contact details are available on the supporters’

clubs directory on the club’s official website, ManUtd.com – simply click on the fans/supporters’ club tab. Our officially recognised supporters’ club team can then be found on the ‘non-geographic’ page.

Players representing the official Manchester United Supporters’ Club gather at Ashton United’s ground for the derby showdown with United-supporting rivals The Red Army FC, with a 5-1 win for MUSFC celebrated back in the dressing room (below)

Flashpoints are familiar fare in feisty derby encounters, of which there have been plenty!

Rivalries with Liverpool have persisted on and off the pitch, with both clubs boasting eras of trophy dominance

RIVAL OPINIONS

Under Pep Guardiola, the Blues have become English football’s dominant force. But does that make them our no.1 adversary?

Among United fans, it’s widely agreed that the Reds’ three greatest enemies are Leeds United, Liverpool and Manchester City. But what order should those names come in?

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, most fans would have offered Liverpool as our no.1 foe, and it’s easy to see why. In almost every year since the mid-1960s, either Liverpool or United could claim to be the most successful club in the history of England’s top flight. City and Leeds, meanwhile, have both fallen as low as the third tier during the Premier League era. Since the Abu Dhabi takeover of 2008, however, the Blues have been a different

beast, winning six titles in the last decade to Liverpool’s one. But has any of that changed how United fans feel about our major rivalries? Are Liverpool still no.1, or have the Blues usurped the Anfield club?

For many young Reds – particularly those based in and around the Manchester area –the answer seems to be: “Yes.” Georgie Boyle, who turns 15 next Sunday, is one of them.

“It’s always City for me,” he tells UR “There’s no doubt I dislike Liverpool, and it will hurt seeing them win the league this season, but for my lifetime, City have won most of the titles and I’ve grown up with

more City fans around me. Is it the same for all my generation? Some at school would say City, but there’s still a few that would say Liverpool, maybe due to their parents.”

And there, in that last sentence, is an indication of the nuances in this debate. It’s not simply about age and who’s doing well at the time you’re a teenager – it can be due to a host of other factors, like your geographical location, or your familial influences. Or maybe you just had a distinct dislike for one of their players.

Malcolm Hancock, who grew up in Old Trafford, started going to United games in 1959, at the age of eight. Back then, Liverpool were

a Second Division side. Due to his four older brothers – all ardent Reds – City were the only rivals that crossed his mind.

“They were the team I always used to want to lose. I wouldn’t want them to win a game of tiddlywinks. It’s the fans more than anything; I just don’t get them at all. Our result was more important to them than their result, I always felt. If we lose, they’re more made up than if they won! And I think they’re still like that now.

“I’d say it was the mid-’60s and ’70s when Liverpool became big rivals, when they started winning everything,” continues Malcolm, before he moves on to the ’80s and ’90s. “City were in the Second Division half the time, so you didn’t have a lot to do with them. When I was going to Barcelona in ’99, my mate who’s a big Blue was going to watch them play Gillingham in the [third tier] play-off. I sent him a postcard saying: ‘We came here and thought of you.’ He never forgot though, and sent me one when they got to Istanbul [for 2023’s Champions League final]!”

Yet for most born in the 1960s and 1970s period that Malcolm refers to, Liverpool remain the benchmark. And the historic battle for national supremacy between the clubs perhaps lends the rivalry a more stable foundation, whereas the enmity between Manchester’s Reds and Blues has fluctuated plenty over the years.

“Liverpool was always the bigger attendance in the 1970s and 1980s, and it hurts more when they win the league” – United fan Pete Boyle

“I think people born a few years before me had the rivalry with City because of the Lee, Bell and Summerbee period, but for people of my age, it’s always been Liverpool as the biggest rivalry,” says Georgie’s dad, Pete. “It was always the bigger attendance at Old Trafford in the 1970s and 1980s, and it hurts more when Liverpool win the league.”

What is consistent across all of these conversations with fans is that, once a no.1 rival is decided, an individual rarely changes their mind, no matter what happens thereafter.

So maybe in 20 to 30 years, we’ll have a large segment of our support – the children of the

Below: United-supporting father and son, Pete and Georgie Boyle, have contrasting views on our fiercest rival, with opinion influenced by the generational divide and our domineering opponent at the time

Guardiola era – who see City as our pre-eminent opponents. Or perhaps that will only apply to fans in the North West, and the increasingly global popularity of the Premier League will keep Liverpool in pole position for most. As Malcolm notes: “I didn’t meet many Liverpool fans growing up in the ’50s, but if you ask a United fan in, say, Cornwall today, they’re probably more likely to run into Liverpool fans than City.”

There is no definitive answer, of course, to this endlessly personal and subjective debate. But there seems little doubt that the post-Fergie generation of Reds are at least more likely to consider City our premier rivals than many Reds who came of age in the 1990s and 2000s.

And who’s to say what might happen in the future? We’ve not mentioned Leeds since the second paragraph, and there’s every chance that they could rejoin the Manchester giants in the top flight come August...

The emotional rollercoaster of taking on our rivals is laid bare at Anfield back in January as United fans celebrate taking the lead in a topsy-turvy 2-2 draw

MESSAGES for matchday

EMAIL US : UNITED.FAMILY @ MANUTD.CO.UK

SHOUT-OUTS!

Happy 10th birthday to Lleyton Forsyth – with love from all the family. He’s here today with dad Lee.

Happy 16th birthday, Chris Hyndman. Have an amazing day! Love Mum.

Happy eighth birthday, Baaqir Busari, and happy 36th birthday to Lateef Busari, with love from your family.

Yuval Shtern is an aspiring centre-back who is here today to celebrate turning 13. A very happy birthday to you.

Happy 40th birthday, Adam Blaize. Love from Mum, Dad and everyone.

Happy 60th birthday to cousins and lifelong Reds Claire Lewis and Joanne Parr. Enjoy your celebrations!

Happy 60th birthday, Andy. Wishing you a fantastic day. Love Donna, Lee and James.

Many happy returns to Rúni Djurhuus, who is celebrating a birthday today.

Happy seventh birthday, Finn O’Connor. Enjoy your first game and here’s to many more trips to Old Trafford. Love Mam and Dad.

‘Dear Kilian: sometimes dreams come true and today it’s yours. We love you so much, never forget that. Happiest 26th birthday.’

Wishing a very happy birthday to Carter Crilly, who was nine on 5 April. Enjoy your surprise trip to Old Trafford!

Happy eighth birthday, Finley. Hope you have the best day. Love you always, Garnacho, Daddy, Mammy and Blake!

Happy 50th birthday to an amazing dad and husband, Gary Stanger

Enjoy your day! We love you lots, Jane, Hayley and Archie.

Everyone at the club would like to congratulate Andy Coles on reaching 25 years working at United on 28 March. We would also like to wish his son, Harry, a happy 12th birthday for 15 April. All the best!

Welcoming a big French fan of United to Old Trafford –happy birthday, Guillaume! Your friends, your brother Antoine, and your mum love you.

A belated happy birthday for 12 March to Beth, an avid United fan who is here today.

Congratulations to Tommy and Jess on their upcoming wedding. This will be the final game they attend before they put their rivalries aside and tie the knot. Wishing you many years of happiness together –but a happier day for Jess today!

Happy 13th birthday, Marcus Evans

Love Mum, Dad and Annabel.

Shea Dunleavy is here watching his first-ever game at Old Trafford today. Not a bad one to start with!

We’d all like to wish a happy ninth birthday to Cían Byrne, from Ireland, for 12 April.

Happy birthday to you, Taylor Courtney. Let’s get three points today to celebrate!

‘Happy 30th to my football bestie, Nicole. Have a great day at the game. Love from Ames.’

Hello to Zach Gilmartin, aged eight, who is attending today’s game with his dad, Keith.

A big happy birthday to Ryan Ross-Wright, who turned 12 on 5 April, and happy 16th birthday to Abbie Ross-Wright for 30 April. Both will be cheering on the Reds today! Have a great time. Love Mum and Dad.

James Murphy turned 27 on 5 April. He’s been a season ticket holder in the North Stand for more than 20 years and is pictured here in 2014.

Happy 10th birthday, Dylan. We hope you have an amazing day. Keep the red flag flying high! Lots of love, Mum, Dad and Lillie.

United member Lacey Parkinson-Light is celebrating her 10th birthday at today’s match with her daddy.

Happy 11th birthday, Mason Rigby. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, son. Lots of love from Mam.

Happy 40th birthday to Joe Kalinowski. Love from Susan and Mason.

Brothers Brian and Harry are over from Ireland for the derby today. They are very excited for the game. Come on you Reds!

Many happy returns to Jax, whose ninth birthday is coming up on 30 April. He’s here today with dad Paul.

Gabriël, an 18-year-old from Amsterdam, is visiting Old Trafford for the first time with his dad, David, and friend, Pieter, to witness his first-ever Premier League game. A dream birthday trip for this young football lover!

A very happy birthday for 20 March to Victor Kaleli, from Kenya, who still dreams of playing for the Reds.

Happy birthday for today to Fiona Wellard, with lots of love from husband and fellow season ticket holder Andy.

Future Red on the way! Baby Gillespie – October 2025.

A very happy 35th birthday to Lewis Habbershaw, a lifelong Red, for 4 April.

Happy birthday to Ishaaq Khan, who’s turning 10. His favourite player is Amad.

Wishing Jayden Whitfield a happy 13th birthday.

Happy 50th birthday, Kumaran! A true Red through and through.

Happy ninth birthday, Samuel. He’s here today with Mum, Dad, and sister Amira. Hope you all enjoy the game.

We’d like to wish Oscar a happy 13th birthday for 3 April. Have a great trip to the Theatre of Dreams today.

Happy birthday, Dad/Grandad. Hope you have the best day ever, we all love you. From Kirsty, Millie, Kian, Mum, Gail, Mads and Eve.

Happy 50th birthday, Jane Gadsby. Hope you have a fabulous day. Lots of love, John, Brad, Abbie and Alex.

Bruce turned 9 on 19 March and is a Stretford Ender who loves a United pie. He wishes he could have seen Cristiano Ronaldo in his prime as he’s his favourite player of all time.

Wishing a happy birthday for 22 March to Mhairi Johnstone, love from Mum and Dad.

Happy eighth birthday for 21 March, Elijah Hill, with love from your United-mad family.

Happy birthday, Yvonne Filleul, from good friend Beverley Jones.

To Jack: Happy seventh birthday, Big Man. Lots of love, Daddy, Mummy and Freddy.

‘Happy 40th birthday, Nischol You bring so much joy to our lives and I am grateful for your kind heart and care for your family. Love you lots!’

To Alan Wallwork: Happy birthday, Dad. Hope you have a good day. Love from Emma, Jon, Jason, Aimee, Keryn, Finlay, Ryla and Leo.

Adrian and Elias Furuhaug are cousins and here for their first Old Trafford match to celebrate turning 10. They are with their fathers and grandad, and they couldn’t be more excited!

Wishing a very happy birthday to Nana Kojo Anti Owusu

We hope Patrick Morris (left) had a great time celebrating his birthday at the recent Europa League win over Real Sociedad!

Happy birthday, Mason. Enjoy your day. Love from Lisa and Em.

Happy ninth birthday to Grayson Smith, a massive United fan. Have the best day. Lots of love, Mum and Dad.

Happy 16th birthday, Haz! Enjoy the match. Lots of love from Mum, Dad and Mia.

A warm welcome back to Old Trafford today to Kieran Smith from Clogherhead in County Louth.

Happy eighth birthday, Wilfred. You’re a little legend!

Milord Hamal celebrates his birthday on 10 April. He’s a big fan of United, Sporting CP and, above all, Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Amorim. They’re more than just football figures to him – they’re his idols. We hope you have a great day, Milord, and many happy returns.

Hello to Kayson Sousa, here today all the way from Bermuda.

To Lynda O’Rourke: Wishing you a very happy birthday, Nan. With love from Zak and Dexter.

‘David Boucher, with football being your passion, what better way to wish you a very happy 50th birthday than this here today. Love, your girl.’

Happy 13th birthday, Harry Granger. He’s United crazy and seen here at January’s win over Rangers, with dad Antony.

Andrew Neil Lambert (30.7.1970 - 7.3.2025), a brother, father and uncle, from Hastings in Kent, passed away on 7 March 2025. He was an avid footballer with many trophies won during his local league career. He skydived and organised charity football tournaments in honour of his son, who tragically died 18 months ago, aged 21. Sadly, Andrew’s summer wing-walk will remain on hold. Andrew was an almighty United fan; a true Red in every sense of the word. Rest in peace, from your ever-loving fan and partner, Becky.

Peter Chan (19.11.19496.3.2025) was a lifelong Manchester United fan, having supported the club since the days of Best, Law and Charlton. His deep passion for football led him to pursue a career as a sports journalist for The Star newspaper in Malaysia. One of the most unforgettable moments of his life was visiting the Theatre of Dreams, and witnessing his beloved team play at home. Peter’s love for United didn’t stop with him – he passed that same passion on to his two daughters, making them Reds as well.

‘Twenty-nine today! Eighteen years in the making — finally shouting my heart out at Old Trafford with the love of my life. What. A. Birthday!’

IN MEMORIAM

‘In memory of Charles Govender. You supported United from your early twenties and the whole household followed suit. Today I know you’re in the clouds of glory singing, “Glory, glory Man United!” Thank you for being the most amazing husband, dad and grandpa – we love you.’

Lifelong Manchester United fan and season ticket holder Peter Woodcock, from Leigh, passed away on Monday 3 March, aged 85. Peter attended his first match at Old Trafford on 15 September 1948, when United secured a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. He will be deeply missed by all his friends and family.

Manchester United is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of David Jones at the age of 81. David was a lifelong Red and loved watching his beloved United – he never missed a game! He even saw the United players win the World Cup at Wembley in 1966. David will be sadly missed by all his family, but is forever in their hearts.

40th birthday, Tony Deane! He’s here today celebrating with

Mark Joseph Roberts sadly passed away on 17 March, aged 73. Mark was a dedicated, lifelong Red from Mossley, whose dad took him to his first game in 1958. He continued this tradition, first taking his own son, Martyn, in the 1983/84 season. They have been season ticket holders ever since and Martyn continues to support the Reds on his dad’s behalf. Mark loved the banter and travel on matchdays, home and away with all his mates. He followed United far and wide all over Europe and attended the three European Cup wins in 1968, 1999 and 2008. Mark will be sadly missed by his loving wife, three children and 10 grandchildren. ‘Keep the red flag flying high.’

In memory of lifelong Red and East Stand resident, Dan Burns, who passed away on St Patrick’s Day, aged 27. A loving son and brother, and a fantastic friend to many people but especially his United mates, he loved watching the Reds and went to Wembley with his mates, Sam, Jack and Gilly, for the recent FA Cup and League Cup wins, and enjoyed us beating Liverpool in the 4-3 win at Old Trafford, too. He will be very sadly missed by everyone. ‘Matchdays won’t be the same without you, Dan. Rest in peace.’

Happy

son Beauden.

FOR THE CLUB

WRAPPED UP IN RED

Scarves have long been a matchday accessory, with this fine neckwear, once regularly worn by a dedicated fan, an eye-catching item in the club museum

Football scarves have been worn in English grounds for well over a century, starting out as simple handknitted, team-coloured woollen neck warmers and becoming the mass-produced club-crest adorned pieces of merchandise of today. But while the look and style might have altered considerably down the decades, the reason for wearing them remains unchanged: a visual display of allegiance to the club you love.

The scarf pictured was donated to the club museum by the family of the late Dorothy Woolf, who wore this while following the Reds home and away for decades. She supported United from the age of five, her interested pricked by her grandad telling her the stories of the great Busby Babes. Dorothy, who lived in Dagenham, East London, attended the 1968 European Cup final at Wembley, and later became involved in arranging matchday coaches and end-of-season parties for the Dagenham Manchester United supporters’ club. Throughout the 1970s and ’80s she travelled all over the country. And, as a proud Stretford Ender, Dorothy would get into Old Trafford nice and early on a matchday so that she and two friends could claim their usual position at the front of a particular barrier on the famous terrace.

The photograph opposite shows Dorothy wearing one of the scarves that she lovingly decorated and wore to matches. Clearly scarves like hers weren’t just for warmth –

they were for wearing your heart around your neck! And she wasn’t alone in going to town on her matchday attire, with this scarf one of many you’d see at United matches.

Dorothy’s classic red-and-white bar scarf, proudly embellished with patches and pin badges, certainly stands out from the majority of scarves

worn today. Each patch tells its own story, from the slowly evolving club crest, to player tributes, to slogans of loyalty. The colours may have faded over time, but items like this one remain incredibly vivid, giving a snapshot of a bygone era when supporters found all manner of ways to proudly show off their dedication and passion.

This highly ornate bar scarf – now on display in the club museum – is lovingly adorned with all manner of crests and badges; a testament to the passion and dedication of showcasing your United allegiance

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WAYS TO

WIN A DERBY

After Amad’s last-gasp heroics at the Etihad in December, UR explores the different styles in which Reds (and a Blue) have swung tied derbies in United’s favour over the years…

RELY ON A FAVOUR

Dave Ewing | United 3 City 2 First Division | 23 September 1961

A hectic first half at Old Trafford had been laced with mistakes, with one costly slip per side. First City’s Dave Ewing only half-hit a backpass, allowing David Herd to put the Reds 2-0 up, only for Nobby Stiles – scorer of our opener – to inadvertently start the visitors’ fightback by slicing a clearance into his own net, before Bobby Kennedy rifled in an equaliser: 2-2. The fitting finale came shortly after the break, however, when Ewing’s personal nightmare continued and decided the outcome. There was little danger to City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann when Dennis Viollet took aim from distance, but Ewing’s attempted clearing header instead diverted the ball past the German stopper and into derby folklore as the fixture’s only own-goal winner.

City defender Ewing suffered the misfortune of deciding the 1961 derby outcome with his misplaced header

PLANT YOUR FLAG

Denis Law | United 1 City 0

First Division | 17 September 1966

Back in the top flight after three years in the second tier, City arrived at Old Trafford intent on imposing themselves on the derby once more. Malcolm Allison’s Blues adopted

a physical approach from the off, setting the tone for a fractious spectacle which overspilled on 15 minutes when Denis Law became embroiled in a melee with several visiting players. The Blue turned Red, who had found his way to Old Trafford via a season in Italy, soon settled down, however, and decided the outcome by storming through on goal, rounding goalkeeper Harry Dowd and slotting into an empty net.

12

POWER ON

Norman Whiteside United 1 City 0 FA Cup third round 10 January 1987

FLIP THE SCRIPT

Bobby Charlton | City 1 United 2 First Division | 30 September 1967

Colin Bell’s fifth-minute opener had Matt Busby’s reigning champions on the back foot early on at Maine Road, only for Bobby Charlton to flip the scoreline well before half-time. The Reds’ no.9 rifled in a brilliant low equaliser on 22 minutes after a neat one-two with Denis Law before, 13 minutes later, pouncing on defensive hesitancy from

City’s Mike Doyle to sweep home the winner on a memorable afternoon for the visitors.

Other instances: Sir Bobby isn’t the only player to net a decisive, tide-turning brace in a 2-1 derby win; Stan Pearson did it first in 1949, while Frank Stapleton most recently repeated the feat in 1983. Going back to pre-war derbies, Joe Spence went one better, netting a hat-trick to swing 1921’s Old Trafford derby the way of the hosts in a 3-1 comeback.

When fate decreed that Alex Ferguson’s first FA Cup tie as United boss would also be his first Manchester derby, a high-stakes January encounter always looked likely to unfold. Fortunately for the new gaffer, Northern Irish powerhouse Norman Whiteside (above) was ready for battle. The Ulsterman took charge midway through the second half, battering home a near-post effort at the Stretford End to secure a a morale-boosting derby win.

Other instances: Lee Sharpe, who settled 1996’s 2-1 tie at Old Trafford, is the only other United player with a true FA Cup winner against the Blues, but three have managed to knock City out of the League Cup: penalty hero Gerry Daly was the first in 1974, followed by Wayne Rooney’s last-gasp header to settle 2010’s semi-final double header, and Juan Mata’s clinical fourth-round effort en route to United winning the competition in 2016.

The Reds rejoice as Charlton nets his second to overturn City’s early Maine Road lead

Law, scorer of five goals against City during his time as a Red, provided the decisive goal as the teams reconvened at Old Trafford following a three-year derby hiatus

TAKE A PUNT

Ryan Giggs | City 2 United 3 Premier League | 6 April 1996

Character reveals itself in the most pressurised moments, and Ryan Giggs demonstrated his phenomenal desire for silverware during a trip to Maine Road in the breathless 1995/96 title run-in. City had twice come from behind to level when, 12 minutes from time, Eric Cantona slipped the ball to Giggs, advancing on goal on the left side of the penalty area. Blues defender Keith Curle goaded the young winger to try his luck from such an unforgiving angle, only to be silenced – like the majority of the stadium –when Giggs’s searing effort flew into the near top corner, moving the Reds three points closer to an unforgettable title triumph.

TIME IT RIGHT

Roy Keane | City 2 United 3 Premier League | 7 November 1993

Two down at the interval to a pair of Niall Quinn headers, Alex Ferguson’s reigning champions – fresh from a European Cup exit at Galatasaray – had seen better weeks. After the break, however, Eric Cantona’s brace in the 52nd and 78th minutes hauled United level and, thereafter, there was only one winner. It came in rampaging fashion from summer signing Roy Keane, just three minutes from time, as the Cork midfielder latched on to a fine cross from countryman Denis Irwin and slammed home an unstoppable half-volley to spectacularly complete the Reds’ resurrection.

Other instances: Only twice more have the Reds come from two down to win a derby: 2018’s Chris Smalling-decided thriller at the Etihad and 2011’s Community Shield triumph at Wembley, settled in dramatic, nerveless style at the death by Nani.

LAND AN EARLY BLOW

David Beckham | City 0 United 1 Premier League | 18 November 2000

After four-and-a-half years of waiting while City toiled in the second and third tiers of English football, both Manchester factions were keyed up for the fixture’s first instalment of the 21st century. In the event, it took the reigning Premier League champions little more than 90 seconds to

forge ahead as David Beckham stepped up, whipping home a 30-yard free-kick to quickly and emphatically secure the points and reiterate the Reds’ supremacy.

Other instances: Joe Spence (1919) and Thomas Reid (1930) both hit relatively early winners in 1-0 wins for the Reds, while singlegoal winners from Dennis Viollet (1956) and Mickey Thomas (1980) were struck in the second period – plus the time of Joe Cassidy’s 1897 winner is unrecorded – but fellow Class of ’92 alumnus Paul Scholes is Beckham’s nearest rival, heading home the winner in the fifth minute of City’s 1995 visit to M16.

Keane completes the Reds’ come-from-behind triumph by firing home the goal that secured our first win at Maine Road in the Premier League era

After twice conceding the lead, Giggs’s stunning drive finally sees the Reds home

Beckham celebrates his expertly executed free-kick to give the Reds a 90-second lead we’d never relinquish

Also available at all Old Trafford kiosks and Megastore

FROM THE SPOT

Cristiano Ronaldo | City 0 United 1 Premier League | 5 May 2007

Such was City’s desire to derail United’s charge to the 2006/07 title, Blues defender Michael Ball opted to wage a one-man war on Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese flyer, enjoying his breakout term, simply shrugged off the defender’s early stamp and took revenge in the best way possible: tormenting his tormentor and winning a penalty shortly after the half-hour. Knowing the stakes, loving the pressure, the Reds’ no.7 nervelessly smashed home his spot-kick to put Sir Alex Ferguson’s side on the brink of a first title in four years.

Other instances: Northern Irish defender Gerry Daly is the only other player to notch a penalty-spot derby winner for the Reds, stroking home in October 1974 as Second Division United sprang a League Cup upset at a packed Old Trafford.

be up, a loose clearance fell to Ryan Giggs, 30 yards from goal. Spotting substitute Michael Owen (below) peeling into space, the Welshman threaded a sublime through ball which gave the former England striker the opportunity to spear home an unbelievable winner and spark scenes of complete bedlam around Old Trafford.

Michael Owen | United 4 City 3 Premier League | 20 September 2009

The greatest derby of all time, for all those of a Red persuasion, with the most ground-shaking climax the fixture has ever seen. Deep into injury-time, United continued to knock on the door of a City side who had thrice fallen behind and thrice restored parity. Just as time appeared to

Other instances: Though none have managed to match Owen’s effort for last-gasp heroics, a quintet of fellow Reds have decided the outcome in the closing moments: William Bryant’s 82nd-minute effort sealed a 3-2 comeback win in 1936; Harry McShane struck two minutes from time at Maine Road in 1951’s 2-1 win; Joe Jordan notched the only goal of 1978’s Old Trafford encounter in the 89th minute, while Paul Scholes (2010, 1-0) and Robin van Persie (2012, 3-2) both swung Etihad Stadium derbies our way with legendary injury-time efforts.

LEAVE IT (VERY) LATE PAINT A PICTURE

Wayne Rooney | United 2 City 1 Premier League | 12 February 2011

No United player can currently top Wayne Rooney’s haul of three derby winners notched with the scoreline level, but far and away his most revered and replayed was the goal which would ultimately top the ‘best goal’ chart of the Premier League’s first two decades. So rarely has a goal featured so many

facets: agility, power, timing, invention, audacity, all made flesh when, 12 minutes from time at Old Trafford, with a tense encounter locked at 1-1, Rooney met Nani’s deflected right-wing cross with a truly jaw-dropping overhead kick which thundered into Joe Hart’s top corner. Game over, title no.19 hoving into view, but, moreover, the signature goal of United’s greatest goalscoring career. Nobody has even come close to deciding a derby in such spectacular, decisive fashion. It was a work of art.

Ronaldo sweeps home from the spot before celebrating (below) a key win in our title run-in

Rooney’s acrobatics take on iconic status as he contorts for the most audacious of derby deciders

United fans deep in suspense witness Owen’s late strike settle a breathless derby

MAKE AN INSTANT IMPACT

Marcus Rashford | City 0 United 1 Premier League | 20 March 2016

Given the manner in which United’s fledgling no.39 had burst into the senior game with braces in his first two outings, it was little surprise that Marcus Rashford managed the small matter of his first derby with complete aplomb. In just his eighth

SPRING A SURPRISE

Chris Smalling | City 2 United 3 Premier League | 7 April 2018

For the first half of the Reds’ late-season trip to face Pep Guardiola’s side, the script seemed fairly predictable. Title-chasing City were home and hosed, seemingly, having passed up countless chances and scored twice. Few reckoned on Jose Mourinho’s beleaguered visitors turning things around in the second half, with a quickfire Paul Pogba double bringing parity, and fewer still could have conceived defender Chris Smalling deciding the outcome with a close-range volley that stunned the Etihad and put the Blues’ champagne on ice.

Other instances: After a 1-3 first leg defeat at Old Trafford, hopes of an Etihad turnaround in 2020’s League Cup semi-final seemed highly unlikely, but faint expectations were stoked when defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic drilled home a crisp 15-yard effort to at least secure a second-leg win for the Reds with just his fourth goal for the club.

Smalling rewrites the script as title-elect City are stunned into Etihad submission

appearance for the Reds, he required less than 16 minutes to steal the show, outstripping veteran defender Martin Demichelis, speeding through on goal and finishing under England keeper Joe Hart. A boyhood Red, notching the only goal of his first derby: the stuff of fairytales.

Other instances: A quarter of a century before Rashford’s winning turn, Academy forebear Ryan Giggs had the same impact, sliding home the only goal of a First Division derby at Old Trafford in May 1991 for his maiden senior strike.

LAST

Amad | City

1 United 2 Premier League | 15 December 2024

With two minutes and 50 seconds of normal time remaining in December’s most recent derby encounter, Ruben Amorim’s side trailed. By the time the final whistle sounded soon thereafter, a stunning late twist had catapulted the game into derby folklore. First, Bruno Fernandes converted an 88th-minute penalty before Amad – who had won the spot-kick –scented blood in the final seconds of normal time. Latching on to Lisandro Martinez’s fine lofted pass, the Ivorian executed a staggering first touch to take the ball around goalkeeper Ederson before coolly dispatching his finish between the panicking City defenders and into the far corner. Over in the away end, an explosion of joy, as Amorim’s side delivered a healthy dose of Christmas cheer in the most unexpected of circumstances.

Other instances: Though various Reds have capped 2-1 comeback wins in derbies of yesteryear – Harold Halse (1908), Stan Pearson (1949), Dennis Viollet (1955), Lee Sharpe (1996), plus brace-scorers Pearson (1949), Bobby Charlton (1967) and Frank Stapleton (1983) – we need only rewind two seasons for another textbook late turnaround by the Reds, once again started by skipper Fernandes. Pep Guardiola’s side led with 12 minutes remaining, but were left beaten at a near-feral Old Trafford in January 2023 as Bruno’s leveller was mere prelude to Marcus Rashford’s close-range winner eight minutes from time.

With that and Amad’s unforgettable intervention fresh in the memory, the scene is set for a spectacle today which could go any which way at any time.

Rashford continues his Academy ascendancy with a neatly taken winner

Amad watches the ball drop before slotting home a spectacular late strike in December’s dramatic win

STRADDLING THE DIVIDE

Few have bridged Manchester’s football rivalry quite like Brian Kidd, a man admired as much by Reds as he is by Blues. UR trawls the photo archives for a (mainly red-tinted) look back at Kiddo on both sides of derby day...

Friends and neighbours: City coach Kidd shares a pre-match reunion with Paul Scholes ahead of a League Cup semi-final first leg at the Etihad in 2010. The Reds lost the game 2-1 but won the tie 4-3 on aggregate

City’s Mike Doyle confronts United forward Kidd in a feisty 1970 clash

(Above) City coach Kidd renews old acquaintances with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, with Blues manager Roberto Mancini also keen for a word, in April 2013. Brian was Sir Alex’s assistant at Old Trafford from July 1991 to December 1998

(Below) Making his point: United’s assistant manager sends directions to the players in October 1995, at an Old Trafford derby won 1-0 by the Reds thanks to a Paul Scholes header

United’s no.8 sends a header goalwards in a League Cup semi-final first leg at Maine Road in 1969. Pictured are (left-right) Bobby Charlton, Mike Doyle, Tony Book, Paul Edwards, Tommy Booth and Kidd. City won the game 2-1

Kiddo lines up alongside former team-mates from his time at Old Trafford and Maine Road, ahead of a seven-a-side derby which took place prior to Sir Matt Busby’s testimonial in August 1991

Pistols at dawn: City striker Brian Kidd goes back-to-back with United’s Stuart Pearson in the build-up to the Old Trafford league derby in the 1976/77 season

Former team-mates and rivals (l-r) John Aston Jnr, Tony Book, Paddy Crerand, Mike Summerbee (obscured), Alex Stepney, and Kidd pay tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of last season’s Old Trafford derby

Bobby Charlton, followed by Stepney and Kidd, take to the field for the 95th Manchester derby in April 1973. This Old Trafford fixture was the last that Brian would play in for the Reds – a dour 0-0 draw

European champion Kidd is closely monitored by City’s Tommy Booth in an Old Trafford derby on 8 March 1969. Brian scored five goals in 13 derby appearances for United, and three in six for City

FA Cup joy: United’s Kidd celebrates the first of his two goals in a 3-0, fourth-round derby-day win in January 1970

Old team-mates Alex Stepney and Kiddo collide in March 1977. A crowd of 58,595 watched the Reds beat City 3-1

– Pearson, Gordon Hill and Steve Coppell our scorers

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UNITED WOMEN ROUND-UP

SPRING IN THEIR STEP

Next month’s Old Trafford derby is set to be part of an exciting end to the season for the Reds, after a near-perfect run of recent results

MAINTAINING MOMENTUM

Marc Skinner’s Reds entered March having won each of their previous six Women’s Super League outings, and have since taken that tally to nine victories in 10, before the ongoing April international break kicked in. First-half goals from Melvine Malard and Leah Galton saw United start the month with a two-goal triumph over Leicester City at Leigh Sports Village and, after resuming the FA Cup defence with a home tie against Sunderland – more on that below – the team travelled to Anfield for the first time. An “uncharacteristic performance”, as labelled by head coach Skinner in a 3-1 loss to Liverpool, saw his side suffer just a second loss of the league campaign, but the Reds have since regained that winning feeling by beating Aston Villa (4-0) and Everton (2-0) without conceding a goal. It sees United occupy the division’s third and final Champions League spot entering the final four games of the season, a healthy seven points ahead of Man City in fourth, six back from leaders Chelsea and behind second-place Arsenal only on goal difference.

CUP SEMI-FINAL AWAITS

Four more big matches are to come in the league then, but not before a mouthwatering FA Cup semi-final away to Manchester City, which is first up on the schedule after the April

internationals. The exciting last-four tie, to be played at City’s Joie Stadium a week today (13 April, 3pm kick-off), comes after United saw off second-tier opponents Sunderland 3-1 in a tense quarter-final contest at LSV last month. Headers from Galton and captain Maya Le Tissier saw United take a two-goal lead into the break, but Sunderland restricted the Reds’ chances to put the game beyond doubt and

set up a nervy finish when a freak goal – an attempted Le Tissier clearance which cannoned in off visiting defender Louise Griffiths – halved their deficit with 20 minutes left. And that’s how it remained until the first added minute, when Ella Toone popped up to head home goal number three for the Reds, ensuring progression to the semi-final stage of the tournament for the third year in succession.

No.19 Terland celebrates the second of her goals in the the 4-0 win at Villa Park – a day when the Reds provided an emphatic response to the defeat at Liverpool

TURNER’S NEW CONTRACT

Second on United Women’s all-time appearances list is centre-back Millie Turner, and her importance to Skinner’s side was underlined off the pitch recently, when she signed a contract extension. The Wilmslow-born Red put pen to paper on fresh terms that sees her deal with the Reds now stretch to June 2028, which is particularly welcome news when factoring in how regular a fixture the 28-year-old has been in our defence over recent seasons. Millie had started all 24 of our games this term before missing our last outing – the 2-0 victory over Everton – as a precaution, due to a slight strain picked up while facing Villa seven days earlier. It was the first WSL match that the homegrown defender had been absent for since 2021/22, and the fact that no chances were taken with her fitness ahead of a big run-in only reinforces how key a member of the squad she is. The no.21 has already been part of the United sides that won the 2019 Championship title, earned Champions

League qualification in 2023, and lifted the FA Cup last season, and she’ll be hoping to add to those successes in the years ahead.

KEEPER COACH TO DEPART

In other news, highly valued goalkeeping coach, Ian Willcock, will leave the club at the end of the season to take up the corresponding role with the Canada women’s national team. ‘Willco’ has been United Women’s goalkeeping coach since the team’s reformation in 2018 and is set to pursue an exciting opportunity on the other side of the pond after seven years of top-quality service in Manchester. It was during Mary Earps’s time working with Willcock that the ex-Reds shot-stopper was named The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper for 2022 and 2023, while Willcock has since overseen Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s impressive emergence as first-choice keeper this season. Ian is now set to reunite with former United Women boss Casey Stoney, who first brought him to the club as a

14

IN THE SPOTLIGHT... LEAH GALTON

The left winger has been at her brilliant best of late and was one of the real driving forces behind a positive March for United. The no.11 – one of three remaining ‘originals’, along with Ella Toone and Millie Turner, to have been in United’s professional women’s squad since it was first assembled in 2018 – was a constant threat in wide areas across the month, racking up three goals and an assist for her efforts. That output, in part, appears to be a product of the consistent faith shown in her by Skinner, who has included Galton in his last 13 starting XIs – a run that dates back to December last year and is a feat only goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce and captain Maya Le Tissier have matched this season. Leah surpassed 150 games for the Reds in February and, should she feature in each of the maximum of six games that United could have left before the season is out, the 30-year-old will overtake former captain Katie Zelem and go third on the team’s all-time appearances list.

Victory against Everton – in which Dominique Janssen (closest to camera) opened the scoring – was a ninth win in 10 WSL outings for Skinner’s in-form Reds

member of her coaching staff and took charge of the Canadian side back in January. We’d like to wish Willco the very best of luck for his upcoming chapter.

GEYSE GOES ON LOAN

Everyone at United is also hoping to see Brazilian forward Geyse do well with USA-based outfit Gotham FC, who she has joined on loan for the full National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, which runs until November. Geyse made the move to Manchester from Barcelona in 2023 and has since played 39 times for the Reds, scoring three goals – the most recent of which came here at Old Trafford against West Ham in

September. “The loan is important to Geyse as we continue to have her wellbeing at the centre of our decision-making,” said interim head of women’s football Matt Johnson upon the announcement, made on 24 March. “We wish her well with Gotham.”

HOW THE RUN-IN LOOKS

Next up for United Women is that captivating Cup semi-final at Man City – the first of two massive women’s Manchester derbies before the end of the season. The Reds’ league campaign resumes away to West Ham on Saturday 19 April (12pm kick-off), while the month was set to conclude with a visit from table-toppers Chelsea, but that fixture is to be rescheduled after the Blues progressed to the Champions League semi-finals. In May, before the huge final-day trip to Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal – confirmed for 12.30pm on Saturday 10 May – Skinner’s charges will go toe-to-toe with City at Old Trafford in what could be a season-defining clash on the WSL campaign’s penultimate matchday. Tickets for the game, scheduled to start at midday on Sunday 4 May, start at just £7.50. Simply scan this code to purchase.

Popular coach Willcock is off to Canada

The Reds line up ahead of the season-opening 3-0 win against West Ham at Old Trafford, and they’ll be back in M16 next month for a crucial WSL clash with Manchester City

FOCUS ACADEMY

HANDLING DEFEAT THE CORRECT WAY

United’s Under-18s fell agonisingly short of a place in the Youth Cup final on Monday, but while the penalty shoot-out defeat was painful, the young Reds’ season is not over yet…

“We said at the start of the year, that if we’re going to do anything this season, we want to do it in a certain way: focused on development as a group,” Adam Lawrence told UR ahead of this week’s FA Youth Cup semi-final. “We don’t want to roll out the same team every week, or prioritise certain players over others. And I think that’s been the case. We’ve got to this part of the season in an organic way. We’ve focused on each individual’s development and we’ve arrived here. It was the same last season. Whatever happens in the Youth Cup, this season will have been a success.”

It’s fair to say though, that however worthy such sentiments, they did not immediately come to mind after a gut-wrenching penalty shoot-out defeat at Villa Park on Monday evening.

“We’re devastated at the nature of the game,” admitted Lawrence, afterwards. His players felt it hard – heads in hands for some, damp cheeks for others. A distant gaze for most, thinking about what could have been: an Old Trafford final, a chance to write your name in the history books. Football can be a harsh sport and for a group of 16, 17 and 18-year-old lads, this one stung.

But they gathered themselves together, led by captain Jacob Devaney, and strode over to United’s away support. Heads held high for most of the players. A select few still ruminating.

“I’ve just said to the boys in there that United fans, whatever age group they’re watching, want

to see a team give their all and try to entertain,” said Colin Little, Lawrence’s assistant. “They gave everything there. That’s what we ask for. Those fans will go home happy with the effort.”

Indeed, this was certainly not a performance lacking effort. Rather it was a clinical edge, perhaps, one definitely less visible in this semi-final than in the previous rounds. Defeat hurts, but in youth football, it shouldn’t make us overlook the journey as a whole. After all, the

young Reds scored five goals in each of rounds three, four and five, all at home. Coventry were the first victims, then Preston North End, then Chelsea. Three very different opponents, three quite starkly contrasting games, but there was dominance in each one. The quarter-final brought a first away trip, at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, which was tighter and more dramatic. Fitness shone through and the quality across the team paid dividends in United’s extra-time win.

The Reds stand as one during the Villa Park shoot-out six days ago, following a 1-1 draw played in front of 2,863 fans

At many points in Monday’s defeat to Villa, it seemed a similar scenario might play out. The hosts looked out on their feet before normal time had come to a close, but somehow found further reserves to regain a foothold in extra-time.

One staff member compared it to a boxing match, and Lawrence and Little appreciated the analogy. “Someone said it in there, I think we probably win that on points over the 120 minutes,” Lawrence recalled. “But we didn’t do enough to knock the opposition out.”

United came close. Lawrence’s side trailed very early on, when Trai-Varn Mulley pounced on a deflected free-kick to poke home, four minutes in. An early jab to knock the Reds, wearing white, off their feet. But United recovered, stabilised, and then controlled. Jack Fletcher’s half-volley attempt was blocked, Chido Obi struck wide from long range before converting successfully, but a second after the whistle had blown for a foul.

As the pressure built, a clever dinked ball from Devaney gave Tyler Fletcher room in which to cause trouble. He used his body well to do that, eventually getting a foot on the ball as Villa goalkeeper Sam Proctor came rushing out. Obi was about to turn and shoot when James Scanlon came charging in to push it home into a gaping net and level for the Reds.

From there, United dominated the ball while Villa offered significant threat on the counter. The Reds let their guard down once, conceding a penalty through lack of concentration, but Villa didn’t make it count as captain Aidan Borland struck well wide from the spot.

By the time the proverbial bell had rung to signal the end of normal time, Obi had hit the post with a header, substitute Zach Baumann

forced two brilliant saves from Villa’s Proctor and several set-pieces came tauntingly close, too. At the other end, United’s goalkeeper Will Murdock had made a series of fantastic saves to deny Villa on the counter.

Extra-time lacked the fizz that United had shown at Arsenal. Lawrence wanted his team to control possession and wear Villa out, but the hosts’ renewed energy prevented that and despite a late United onslaught, penalties followed. Villa stopper Proctor came up big for penalty number one, pushing a well-struck Jim

Thwaites spot-kick on to the post, and Villa rode the wave of momentum to victory.

Fantastic support

“We said in the hotel earlier today that if we were to fall short, we wanted everyone to see the spirit of the team,” Lawrence reflected. “I was proud of the boys in how they showed that. We’ve come up short today. Congratulations to Villa. We tried to take the game to them but we lacked that last little bit around the box, that ruthlessness.

“We’re disappointed. The players are gutted. But this is what we want to expose our players to: the best games, opposition, level, stages. It’s really valuable, whether you win or lose. We want to get to the level where they’re playing at these stadiums every week in front of the United fans like this, creating this atmosphere.

“The fans were absolutely incredible. We felt that throughout the competition, but especially tonight. We really appreciate it.”

It was a fantastic turnout. More than 1,000 Reds filled three blocks at Villa Park, seemingly outnumbering the home support, and the noise

The Reds’ route to the semis was sealed with an extra-time winner from Bendito Mantato during an entertaining Emirates exchange with Arsenal

Lawrence helps his young Reds prepare at Villa Park, with the lead coach proud of the effort put into the Cup semi-final

“We’ve won trophies, we’ve won games, and we’ve obviously had setbacks. What matters more than the trophies or the games is the future” – Lawrence

generated in key moments was inspiring. Sat behind the dugouts, UR spotted United’s subs regularly turning around to see the away end’s latest rendition of ‘UNI-TED’. They were desperate to repay that support with a win, but it wasn’t to be.

Also watching on was Sir Alex Ferguson.

“That’s not a surprise at this club, to be honest,” Lawrence said. “When you join this club, you quickly appreciate and understand how much the Academy is thought of and how much support comes from the people within, and it’s really special for the players to experience that.”

Few know better the importance of winning at United than Sir Alex. But it was only two months ago that captain Devaney sat in a room listening to the great man’s words of advice, which are ever so prescient now.

“I lost nine finals at Aberdeen and United,” said Sir Alex in a Q&A at an Academy event. “Nine finals! And you know what it does? The next morning I was a better manager. You have to handle defeat in the correct way. To be a winner, you have to accept defeat is part of your life but you can correct that the very next day. So all the

young players here, handle defeat the right way and make sure you’re a winner the next day.”

Remaining targets

That’s the focus for the Academy now. What next? In the short term, this team is still going for the northern league title. The young Reds need rivals City to drop points, but are still within a shout of making it back-to-back successes, having won the national crown last season.

But it’s the long term that’s important, really.

Two of this squad have already made first-team debuts in Obi and Harry Amass, who was missing from Monday’s group due to continued senior involvement. Obi, on the other hand, was permitted to play, with Ruben Amorim keen to give him a variety of experiences as he continues to take his first steps into the men’s game.

Scanlon (below) has already played for Gibraltar’s senior national side, and is one of several to have been unused subs for the first team, alongside Murdock, Fletcher, Godwill Kukonki and Jayce Fitzgerald. The vast majority have trained with Amorim’s group, some regularly, including in the build-up to this afternoon’s Premier League derby.

That made preparations a little unusual, but Lawrence calls it “the reality of youth football”.

“This is our point; what we do has to be organic,” Lawrence continues. “We have to obsess over the details of the development and how we want to play, rather than the outcome. Success has to be a byproduct of that. That was what we did last season when we won three trophies, and it’s the same this season. “It’s been an unbelievable period over these last two seasons.

It’s something we’ll remember for a long time, sharing this journey as a group of players and staff. We’ve won trophies, we’ve won games, and we’ve obviously had setbacks.

“What matters more than the trophies or the games is the future. Hopefully we’ll be looking back at this game and where these players have ended up in the game and we can be really proud of the work that we’ve done.” ●

Several players, including Chido Obi (pictured), have transitioned to senior action this term on the back of their Academy development

Story behind the shot

Club snapper Ash Donelon (above) was at first-team training recently, which is where he captured this brilliant image showing the joy of representing the Reds

FULFILLING A DREAM

Image taken: Carrington training ground, Friday 28 March 2025.

Ash says: “Back in November I photographed Chido Obi’s professional contract signing where he expressed his desire to make his first-team debut this season, so it’s been great to see him join up with the senior squad. Just before the first training session after the international break the players made a gauntlet for Chido to run through, and I took this photo just after he exited the chaos! He looked back towards the touchline and I was able to capture his beaming smile. You can tell exactly how much this means to him and I’m hoping I’ll be seeing this smile plenty more times as his career continues to rise.”

Our mascot tackles the big questions from the Reds’ amazing history, one subject at a time...

Just six years after being crowned European champions with a team starring three Ballon d’Or winners, Manchester United were relegated to the Second Division. Yes, really!

Long-serving manager Sir Matt Busby left United for good in 1971. His successors Wilf McGuinness and Frank O’Farrell both lasted only a year-and-a-half in the job, struggling to manage a big-name team which was past its best. George Best threatening to retire one summer was an extra headache O’Farrell didn’t need, but in the end, George outlasted his manager and O’Farrell was replaced by Tommy Docherty around Christmas 1972.

Docherty’s era was one of change. When he arrived, some members of Busby’s great team were still around, but not for long. Docherty moved on Denis Law, and Sir Bobby Charlton left, too. But the off-field distractions of Best made the first season without fellow legends Law and Charlton even harder.

Having previously been Scotland manager, Docherty turned to men he knew he could

FRED ASKS... WHAT HAPPENED TO

UNITED IN THE 1970 s ?

trust. One was striker Lou Macari and the other defender Jim Holton. ‘Six foot two, eyes of blue...’ the Stretford End used to sing to Jim. They were part of a new core of the squad. Best was not. He and Docherty fought until eventually, Best walked out, marking a painful end to a great United career. His exit was one part of a terrible 1973/74 season, defined by a lack of confidence and luck. United lost 20 games in the league, but only four times by more than one goal. Docherty’s Reds often played well but

DID YOU KNOW?

During this time, winger Steve Coppell played in 207 consecutive league matches for United! It’s a remarkable record that is unlikely to ever be broken. That would be like playing every game from now until the end of the 2030/31 season!

couldn’t score and were in a relegation battle. In one defeat, against Birmingham – who were also near the table’s bottom – their only goal came when a clearance rebounded off their striker and into the net. Talk about bad luck!

Docherty made an active decision towards the end of the season to go for it. He put young players in the side and attacked. It was entertaining, but unsuccessful. United went down. All season, people had said ‘they’re too good to go down’. But we weren’t.

And so, you might think, that would be it for manager Docherty – but no. United’s board and Busby saw hope for the future, and so they stuck by their manager.

United were down, but far from out. Some even believed a season in the Second Division could be beneficial. And it proved to be.

The Reds bounced back immediately. Freed from top-flight pressure, they played with

Docherty’s Reds salute our top-flight return after ending the 1974/75 season as Second Division winners

belief and style. This was truly the start of a new era: no Best, Law, or Charlton, but fresh talents like Macari, Sammy McIlroy, and Brian Greenhoff.

Fans embraced the journey. Everywhere United went, thousands went with them. ‘The Red Army’ became known across the country as they took over towns on matchday. The team visited grounds rarely seen by United supporters – in Cardiff, Oxford, Bristol, Hull, York – turning every game into a spectacle. Despite being out of the top flight, United’s story was the talk of the country. By Christmas, promotion looked certain. Docherty switched to an even more attacking set-up: a 4-2-4 formation, with wingers Steve Coppell and Willie Morgan playing key roles. The football was thrilling, and United returned to the First Division in style.

Just two years earlier, top-flight teams had seen United crumble under pressure. Now, they saw the country’s most exciting team, not just the ‘Red Devils’ but the ‘Red Daredevils’. While other teams were prioritising solid defence, United went for ‘attack, attack, attack.’

Our style wasn’t just entertaining – it was effective. After promotion, United aimed for an ambitious league and FA Cup Double. Though we finished third and lost the FA Cup final to Second Division Southampton, the foundations were strong. The following season, we reached another final, this time against Liverpool, England’s best team at the

Left: Two years on from following the Reds on a second-tier sojourn, the boisterous Red Army were out in force for a second successive FA Cup final

Below: Three goals in the space of four second-half minutes decided the outcome of the 1977 Cup final, and it would be the Reds of Manchester celebrating a 2-1 win, denying our Merseyside rivals a historic Treble

time. Liverpool were chasing a historic Treble, having already won the league and reached the European Cup final. United, determined to stop them, won 2-1, ensuring that when we won our own Treble 22 years later, we became the first English club to do so.

Unfortunately, in the summer of 1977 Docherty left the club and his project, which seemed destined for entertaining success, was

ended. His replacement, QPR manager Dave Sexton, had a more cautious style. United’s league form was average, but he did get us to another FA Cup final, in 1979. United scored twice in the final five minutes to come from 2-0 behind, only for Arsenal to score a winner in the dying moments. It was an appropriately dramatic end to a difficult decade for United – one of great ups and the toughest of downs.

DERBY DRAMA

Did you know, United have scored FOUR winning goals in the 90th minute or later against Manchester City in a Premier League fixture... we love to see it!

FRED’S FUN ZONE

mascot

City 1-2 United

MEET THE MASCOTS

AMAD MOMENT!

Here’s Amad slotting home the winner in the last derby – but we’ve removed the ball! Can you guess the coordinates?

Alfie

Bobby Noah Andrew Gabi Theo Tommy Ayan Lily

2009: United 4-3 City (Michael Owen, 90+6)

2010: City 0-1 United (Paul Scholes, 90+3)

2012: City 2-3 United (Robin van Persie, 90+2)

2024:

(Amad, 90)

WHAT IS STYLE?

FORCE OF NATURE

Keeper Heaton joins Foundation partner school pupils on an eco-friendly mission

Tom Heaton took time away from Carrington during the March international break to join Manchester United Foundation participants as they partook in some fantastic environmental work.

Supporting Green Football’s Great Save initiative, the goalkeeper spent time with Key Stage 2 students at Lime Tree Primary Academy. All those involved are enrolled on the Foundation’s Eco Reds project, which encourages young people to protect the planet and inspire their peers.

From planting flowers and disposing of compost, to watering plants and litter picking, plus plenty more in between, Tom had the chance to witness first-hand the group’s strong desire to have an impact on the world around them, resulting in some wonderful work in the school’s outdoor spaces.

Tom said: “The Foundation does an incredible job. Today has highlighted again to me the influence and power it can have for young people, and there’s a little bit of pride for me as well, seeing the difference it makes.

“We’ve been planting onions, litter picking, planting flowers and bulbs across different areas, putting stuff in the compost bins – just real good stuff, some real good habits for the young kids, and I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon.

“You can see how passionate these kids are about doing good things for the planet and you can see that they really care. To be building those habits at this early stage is fantastic.”

The Eco Reds project forms part of the Foundation’s delivery on the Premier League Inspires programme across all the Foundation partner schools.

“It was great to have Tom Heaton here –the kids were really buzzing with it,” said Nick Bunbury, one of the Foundation’s primary delivery officers. “The kids were telling me it was one of the best days of their lives and they’re going to go home and tell their parents, and they’re not going to believe it! It was really good work today from Tom and all of the Eco Reds.”

One pupil, Abdul, 10, said: “This particularly was a very special day for me. It was a great experience, and I loved it all. I’m a United fan, so it made me feel really excited to hear how Tom does some of his eco stuff, and also, for us to show him how good of a school we are.”

For more visit mufoundation.org

Heaton gets his gloves ready – this time for some litter picking – as he spends time doing environmental work with Lime Tree Primary Academy pupils

The youngsters were delighted to be joined by Tom as they took to the great outdoors

Our first-team stopper was impressed with the work being done to help protect our planet

EMPOWERING CHANGE

Inspired by this year’s International Women’s Day theme of ‘Accelerate Action’, more than 70 students had the opportunity to take part in activities that opened their eyes to careers in different industries. They interacted with professionals from a wide variety of sectors, while learning that there’s still much to be done in the fight for equality.

The groups of partner-school pupils had the opportunity to take part in some music and DJ activities, brain-training and concentration games, and they even spoke with members of the

trailblazing Manchester Corinthians women’s football team, that was founded after the Second World War and who played in spite of the FA bans on the female game.

Elyssia, one of those in attendance, from Levenshulme High School, perfectly summed up why these events continue to be so important. “It made me feel empowered to help make a change,” she said, “because even though women have already done a lot, it doesn’t mean we have the freedom to do everything.”

YOUNG REDS INSPIRE

United Women Under-21 players Millie Crook and Olivia Turner were on hand to support female participants at Irlam & Cadishead Academy, as they enjoyed a range of activities in an event to help with local primary school pupils’ transition to high school.

On the agenda were a series of girls’ football workshops, some of which focused on communication and target practice. Participants were encouraged to develop key skills in an enjoyable and light-hearted way, supported by Millie and Olivia’s appearance, as the United pair passed on tips of their own to the younger generation.

Millie said: “I’ve loved being here this afternoon. I’ve done a few things with the Foundation now and I’m really enjoying learning about what they do and the opportunities they give to kids. It’s nice that the girls were really excited to see us, too. I’m sure they’ll all do really well when they start high school in September.”

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The young learners enjoyed taking part in testing tasks as they discovered how they can help shape the future in different industries

United Women’s U21 duo Millie and Olivia chat to the local primary pupils soon to enrol in secondary schooling

THE BIGGEST GAMES EVERY WEEKEND

STATS AT THE BACK SCANDINAVIAN STARS

Christian Eriksen brought up his 100th appearance for United in midweek, prompting UR to look at his position among our leading players from Denmark, Norway or Sweden

398 appearances

Peter Schmeichel (Denmark) 1991-99 | 1 goal

The Great Dane was regarded as the world’s finest keeper during his eight-season spell with the Reds, which included our Treble campaign.

366 apps

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Norway) 1996-2007 | 126 goals

Our top-scoring Scandinavian, and United’s only manager from the region, is also probably the most popular name on this list.

273 apps

Victor Lindelof (Sweden) 2017-present | 4 goals

Sweden skipper Victor is the highest-ranked member of the current squad among this group, and now in his eighth season as a Red.

176 apps

Jesper Olsen (Denmark) 1984-88 | 24 goals

The skilful winger became United’s first-ever Scandinavian import when he joined Ron Atkinson’s Reds from Ajax in 1984.

150 apps

Ronny Johnsen (Norway) 1996-2002 | 9 goals

Reliable defender Johnsen won seven trophies in six seasons with the Reds, and was another member of our Treble-winning team.

103 apps

Henning Berg (Norway) 1997-2000 | 3 goals

Another contributor to our historic 1998/99 campaign, Berg was unfortunate to miss the season’s exciting climax due to injury.

100 apps

Christian Eriksen (Denmark) 2022-present | 7 goals

The talented playmaker continues to make a contribution whenever called upon, and hit his century milestone in the midweek visit to Forest.

83 apps

Rasmus Hojlund (Denmark) 2023-present | 24 goals

Close behind Eriksen is his compatriot Hojlund, who has added eight goals this season to his 16 strikes last term.

55 apps

Anthony Elanga (Sweden) 2018-23 | 4 goals

The Sweden-born winger made his senior debut in May 2021 having graduated from United’s Academy.

53 apps

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) 2016-17, 2017-18 | 29 goals

The 6ft 5in forward spent only one full season in M16, but that didn’t stop him racking up the games and goals.

THE PREMIER LEAGUE

The finish line isn’t far away for the 20 top-flight teams – here’s the full schedule over the current weekend...

The Manchester derby is the ninth of 10 games to be played across matchweek 31 in the Premier League – a run of fixtures that began at 12.30pm yesterday as Everton hosted Arsenal With just three games left for the Toffees at Goodison Park following the visit of the Gunners, their fans will be savouring every last moment. Yesterday’s later matches consisted of Crystal Palace v Brighton (aka ‘the M23 derby’), Ipswich v Wolves (a ‘six-pointer’ near the bottom), Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest (two top-four chasers) and West Ham v Bournemouth. Moving on to today, Chelsea made the short trip to Brentford (above left) at 2pm, with west London also the location for Fulham v Liverpool at the same time. In the north of the capital at 2pm, Tottenham would have been out to inflict yet another defeat on Championship-bound Southampton. And finally, at 8pm tomorrow, Leicester (left) – who like the Saints seem destined for the second tier – welcome Newcastle to the King Power.

2024/25 PREMIER LEAGUE F IXTURES

Read across for home games and down for away. Broadcast picks confirmed up to

APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2024/25 SEASON

Harry Amass became the 253rd Academy graduate to appear in the United first team last month. On 16 March, the defender’s 18th birthday, he was introduced in the 69th minute of our Premier League outing at the King Power Stadium, where the Reds comfortably beat Leicester City 3-0.

UNITED CAREER STATISTICS

Christian Eriksen made his 100th United appearance at Nottingham Forest earlier this week – see section 19 for more – and that milestone is also close for another member in the current squad. Andre Onana has played 92 games after Tuesday night’s trip to the City Ground.

MANCHESTER UNITED EDITORIAL TEAM

FERNANDES 185(3)6220(3)10 9(4) 4 49(4)19 10 264(14)95

Alejandro GARNACHO 53(33)148(5) 2 7(3) 4 11(11) 3 0(1) 1 79(53)24 Daniel GORE 0(1)

United skipper Bruno Fernandes played his 278th Reds appearance at Forest in midweek, moving him level with team-mate Luke Shaw. Both players are two games shy of matching the total achieved by legendary captain of the ‘Busby Babes’ Roger Byrne prior to his death in the Munich Air Disaster.

2024/25 FIXTURES

PL Sun 29Tottenham Hotspur (H) 4.30pm 0-3 73,587 4-2-3-1Onana

PL Sat 7 Nottingham Forest (H) 5.30pm 2-3 73,7783-4-2-1Onana Yoro

UEL Thu 12Viktoria Plzen (A) 5.45pm 2-1 11,3203-4-2-1Onana

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

Manchester United and Greater Manchester Police have very detailed emergency procedures and contingency plans in place to deal with any emergency scenario which might arise at the stadium. Part of these procedures can involve evacuation plans should such an eventuality be required. We strongly advise that should any unforeseen emergency incident develop then please remain in your position and listen carefully to any public address announcements or directions from the attendant stewards. Loudspeakers are located in the stands, concourse areas, hospitality areas, toilets and outside the stadium. Depending on the nature of the incident, whole stands, part stands or even the entire stadium may be evacuated. There is also an option to evacuate spectators on to the pitch. Our public address system operates on a stadium zone-by-zone basis. It may be that certain zones are affected by an incident but not others. In such an event our main attention will be focused on the zone concerned. If you hear an announcement in an area other than your own, you should ignore it and respond only to messages directed towards your section or by stewards. All spectators are asked to respond calmly and as quickly as possible to emergency directions.

MATCHDAY TEXT SERVICE

Help tackle discriminatory or offensive behaviour inside Old Trafford by texting HELP to 84222* followed by the STAND, ROW and SEAT of the offender and then the nature of the problem. Allow us to do the rest. *Texts are charged at the standard network rate.

A-Z quiz

We’re back round to the letter ‘A’ in our (added-time) alphabetical quiz series. Players, clubs and stadiums all feature here – best of luck!

2.

of Dreams? 3. 1. 4. 5. 10. 7. 9. 6.

Arthur Albiston leads the way for United appearances by players of which country?

Who was the first player from Argentina to make an appearance for the Reds?

In which year did

Valencia move from Wigan Athletic to the

Across the two legs of our last-16 meeting with AC Milan in the 2009/10 Champions League, how many of United’s seven goals were scored by Wayne Rooney?

Ruben Amorim came off the bench for which Portuguese side at Old Trafford in the Champions League in 2011?

Which member of the current squad got his first Reds goal in last season’s visit to face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena?

Last May, Alejandro Garnacho became the first teenager to score in an FA Cup final since which former Red?

Anthony Martial scored nine of his 90 United goals – his best record against any opponent while with the Reds – in fixtures with which team that play in blue? 8.

Aside from Aston Villa, name the only other current Premier League club whose name starts and ends with the same letter (excluding the words ‘Football Club’).

Answers

1. Scotland; 2. Juan Sebastian Veron; 3. 2009; 4. Four; 5. Benfica; 6. Atalanta;

7. Rasmus Hojlund; 8. Everton; 9. Cristiano Ronaldo; 10. Liverpool

Amad joined United from which Italian club?

Antonio

Theatre

MANCHESTER UNITED

24/25 HOME JERSEY

Altay BAYINDIR

Victor LINDELOF

Noussair Mazraoui

Matthijs de Ligt

Harry MAGUIRE

Lisandro MARTINEZ

Mason MOUNT

Bruno FERNANDES

Rasmus HOJLUND

Joshua Zirkzee

Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu

Christian ERIKSEN

Leny Yoro AMAD

Alejandro GARNACHO CASEMIRO

Diogo DALOT

Tom HEATON

Luke SHAW

Andre ONANA

Manuel Ugarte

Ayden Heaven

Jonny EVANS

Kobbie MAINOO

Harry Amass

Sekou Kone

Toby Collyer

Dermot Mee

Hubert Graczyk

Elyh Harrison

Tyler fredricson

Chido Obi

jack fletcher

Jack Moorhouse

Godwill Kukonki

SEASON 2024/25

Ruben Dias

John Stones

Nathan Ake

Omar Marmoush

Mateo Kovacic

Erling Haaland

Jack Grealish

Jeremy Doku

Nico Gonzalez Rodri

Kevin De Bruyne

Stefan Ortega

Ilkay Gundogan

Bernardo Silva Vitor Reis

Josko Gvardiol

Manuel Akanji

Savinho

Matheus Nunes

Claudio Echeverri

Ederson

Scott Carson

Abdukodir Khusanov

Phil Foden

Oscar Bobb

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey

Divin Mubama

Nico O’Reilly

Rico Lewis

James M c Atee

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee John Brooks

Assistants Simon Bennett, Daniel Robathan

Fourth off icial Tony Harrington

VAR Paul Tierney Assistant VAR Timothy Wood