Another Manchester derby.
Another chance for Manchester United to remind Manchester City that football has a funny way of bringing old memories back.
Because whenever United beat City, something else seems to be happening in the world.
BBM disappears.
Instagram arrives.
TikTok takes over.
Twitter becomes X.
AI starts threatening everybody’s job. Apparently.
And Manchester United?
Well, they keep finding a way to make their fans believe again. 😂
So when the next derby kicks off, don’t just ask:
“Who is going to win?”
Ask yourself:
“What is happening in the world this time?”
Because if United win again, we’ll have to update this list.
And knowing United, we might be waiting a little while.
2011 — MANCHESTER UNITED 3–2 MANCHESTER CITY
United beat City in the Community Shield, coming from behind to win 3–2 at Wembley.
What was happening in the world?
Basically, BBM was still more important than Instagram. 😂
2012 — MANCHESTER CITY 2–3 MANCHESTER UNITED
Now this one was pure drama.
United were 2–0 down at the Etihad before fighting back to win 3–2.
And then Robin van Persie scored that late winner.
What was happening in the world?
Gangnam Style was taking over the planet.
In Nigeria, fuel prices were also making headlines, with petrol rising from ₦65 to around ₦140.
Different times. Same Manchester derby chaos.
2015 — Manchester United 4–2 Manchester City
City scored first.
United responded with FOUR.
Ashley Young. Fellaini. Mata. Smalling.
4–2.
It was United’s first derby win in five attempts.
What was happening in the world?
The iPhone 6 was a big deal.
Muhammadu Buhari defeated Goodluck Jonathan in the election.
2018 — City 2–3 United
Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images
Now THIS was a comeback.
City were 2–0 up. United came back and won 3–2, with Paul Pogba scoring twice before Chris Smalling completed the madness.
What was happening in the world?
Cristiano Ronaldo was still at Real Madrid.
Avengers: Infinity War had just broken people’s hearts.
2019 — City 1–2 United
United went to the Etihad and beat City 2–1.
Rashford scored.
Martial scored.
And Ole’s United had just pulled off another one of those “don’t ask us how, just look at the scoreline” victories.
What was happening in the world?
Avengers: Endgame was breaking box-office records.
The world was still arguing about Game of Thrones’ final season.
2024 — City 1–2 United
Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images
FA Cup final. Wembley.
City were favourites.
United won 2–1.
What was happening in the world?
Twitter had become X.
Davido and Chioma had their traditional marriage.
2026 — United 2–0 City
And then we arrive at the most recent one.
Michael Carrick’s first game in charge.
What was happening in the world?
AI was everywhere.
TikTok had basically become television.
