English Premier League: The Manchester Derby English Premier League champions Manchester United may be the most successful club in the history of English football, but that doesn’t mean squat when a historical rivalry versus Manchester City is about to take place. And just like any good rivalry, the Manchester Derby pumps up the level of football to a different kind of intensity, and perhaps even more so now. This season, Manchester United and Manchester City sit at the top of the English Premier League standings with both clubs mustering a lot of highlight reel goals. Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is the league’s top scorer while Manchester City’s duo of Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko are number two and three closely behind Rooney. These three combined for 23 goals in just 6 Premier League games! With that many goals coming from those three top scorers it won’t be a surprise that fans will be treated to a high-scoring Manchester Derby. The last time the two battled was for the FA Community Shield in August 2011, and the match saw a total of 5 goals. Manchester United edged Manchester City 3-2, fighting back from a 2-0 half-time deficit before bagging the win with a late Nani stoppage-time goal. Now who says buzzer-beaters are only for basketball? Perhaps the slight edge will favor Manchester United as the home pitch of Old Trafford has not yet seen a loss so far this year, but certainly Manchester City will look to avenge their disappointing loss from last time and make a bold statement if they can beat the champions at their home turf. A win by Manchester City might even be a turning point for the Premier League championship race. In the history of the Manchester Derby, Manchester United has won 67, Manchester City has won 43 and there have been 50 draws. On October 23, 2011, we can throw out all the history and stats because the most important Manchester Derby is this one yet to come. There is a saying in Manchester – you’re only as good as your last Derby.
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