For over a century, Manchester has been divided into red and blue. A rivalry that started in the working-class neighbourhoods has developed into one of the most legendary derbies in the world of sports, with millions of people watching every time. In this article, we’ll look deeper into the history and future of this legendary rivalry.
The industrial roots
Charlton, Zabaleta, Schmeichel, Agüero – there are many legends in Manchester, but to understand the rivalry of these two clubs, the historical context is crucial. Both clubs emerged from the factory floors that defined Manchester in the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. For the coming century, the derby was intense but local and defined by the loyalty of families and neighborhoods. The banter between fans became fiercer with time and ultimately helped create the rivalry we know today. The rivalry has also been influenced by the different directions the clubs ended up taking.
The Ferguson Dynasty
When Sir Alex arrived at United, it changed the rivalry significantly. In the coming 26 years under his leadership, United won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League titles. At the same time, City was far from its past glory and were just existing in the shadow of Manchester United. Back then, the battle for Manchester was only a local concern as United had succeeded in creating an international fanbase, whereas City was practically unknown outside of England. These circumstances were the beginning of City’s rise to past glory.
City’s financial revolution
As a man in shining armor, Sheikh Mansour entered City grounds with unlimited resources, changing Manchester City from being an irrelevant football club into a global powerhouse and one of the favorites when it comes to football betting. From his arrival in 2008 to Agüero’s legendary snatching of the title from United in the last seconds in 2012, City underwent a transformation that took them from the middle of the table to the top, where they have remained ever since. In the later years, you could argue that the roles have been reversed as United today is far from the glory days under Ferguson.
The global derby today
The Manchester derby today is now a global event that attracts fans from all over the world, both on the club’s respective home grounds and also on the telly. While City has established itself as a dominant force, the club has recently started to show signs of weakness, with star players looking like a shadow of themselves, making fans question their status in the club.
United has also had a couple of horrible years, but that has not influenced the global interest in this legendary rivalry. The games between these two historical clubs still attract millions of people who support their side, even if they have never set foot in Manchester. What the future holds for the two clubs in terms of success can be hard to predict, but one thing one can be sure of is that it will still be a derby watched closely around the world.
