This weekend marks the 199th Manchester derby—one of the fiercest rivalries in world football. Enzo Maresca will take Manchester City across town for the first time, while Michael Carrick leads Manchester United in his second derby, looking to build on a victory from last season.
All eyes will be on the marquee players, particularly Erling Haaland, who could etch his name in the derby's history books if he delivers a standout performance at Old Trafford.
Here’s a look at the top 10 scorers in the history of Manchester derbies, a list that includes the talented Norwegian.
10. Joe Spence – 8 goals in 14 matches
Spence played for United in the aftermath of the First World War, spending 14 years at the club and racking up 510 appearances. He left in 1933 as the record holder for both goals and games played, having scored eight times against the neighbours.
9. Brian Kidd – 8 goals in 13 matches
Kidd is unique in this lineup as he is the only player to have scored in derbies for both clubs. He notched five during his seven-year stay with the Red Devils and added another three after moving to the Sky Blues.
8. Erling Haaland – 8 goals in 10 matches
The Norwegian is climbing this list at an astonishing rate. Should he net a hat-trick on Sunday, he’ll match the tally of the top contender. All eight of his goals have come in the Premier League, yet he hasn’t scored at Old Trafford since 2023.
7. Eric Cantona – 8 goals in 6 matches
The Frenchman thrived in matches against Manchester City, scoring an impressive eight goals in just six encounters. He left the pitch without a goal only in his first derby, even bagging braces in successive matches during the 1993/94 season. No other team faced Cantona as frequently as City did.
6. Colin Bell – 8 goals in 21 matches
The City legend may not have been the most prolific in these derbies, but his long career allowed him to accrue a solid number. Across 21 matches against United, his best achievement was two braces.
5. Bobby Charlton – 9 goals in 27 matches
Charlton’s lengthy career saw him face the neighbours 27 times, although he scored most of his goals later in his career. He managed just three in his first 17 meetings but added six more in his last ten, including a vital double at Old Trafford in 1960. His derby record is impressively symmetrical: nine wins, nine draws, and nine losses.
4. Sergio Aguero – 9 goals in 16 matches
City’s all-time leading scorer found the net nine times against United in his 260-goal career for the club. He opened his account in his debut derby in 2011 with a memorable 6-1 win—setting off a remarkable streak where he scored seven goals in seven matches, becoming a nightmare for United fans. Although his scoring rate dipped late in his career, his early exploits secure him a spot among the greats.
3. Francis Lee – 10 goals in 19 matches
A true legend for the blue half of Manchester, Lee started slowly, failing to score in his first five derbies. However, he made up for it spectacularly, scoring in a thrilling 3-3 draw in 1972. Amongst his achievements was a hat-trick at Old Trafford during a 4-1 victory in 1970.
2. Joe Hayes – 10 goals in 17 matches
Hayes scored more against United than any other side, finding the net 10 times in 17 matches, with nine coming in league encounters. His standout moment was in 1955, where he struck twice in a stunning 5-0 victory for City.
1. Wayne Rooney – 11 goals in 31 matches
The legendary Wayne Rooney tops the list, scoring 11 goals across his derby career with United, with eight in league play, two in the FA Cup, and one in the League Cup, all from 31 appearances. He faced only Arsenal and Chelsea more often. He is also the author of perhaps the most iconic goal in derby history—a breathtaking overhead kick in 2011.
