10 Stats You May Have Missed From a Manchester Derby Drenched in Controversy
Mark Strijbosch
Manchester City won the derby. Whether their winner should have counted is another matter, and we're not deep-diving into that right now, as we've found more things that caught our eye!
Erling Haaland's second-half strike survived a lengthy VAR review despite Enzo Fernandez being in an offside position as the ball reached the Norwegian. United were furious, arguing Fernandez impeded Lisandro Martinez, while the goal was allowed to stand.
That controversial moment settled a chaotic 199th Manchester derby, with 10-man City winning 1-0. Dig beneath the headline and there were some extraordinary numbers.
1. Haaland is Manchester's new derby king
Haaland now has nine Premier League goals against United in eight appearances, overtaking Sergio Aguero and Wayne Rooney, who both scored eight in Manchester derbies. Only Mohamed Salah (13) and Alan Shearer (10) have scored more Premier League goals against United.
2. Two touches were enough
Perhaps the most Haaland statistic imaginable: he had only two touches inside United's penalty area all afternoon. One produced the winning goal. City themselves managed only two shots from inside the box.
3. City entered a tiny Old Trafford club
There have been 50 occasions when a visiting team has received a Premier League red card at Old Trafford. City became only the second to still win the match, after Everton achieved the feat in November 2025. Both victories finished 1-0.
4. Foden's red was historically early
Foden was dismissed after just 22 minutes and 23 seconds. Only once have City received an earlier Premier League red card and still won: Vincent Kompany was dismissed after 10 minutes against Hull in 2014 before City somehow won 2-0.
5. Twenty years between City derby reds
Foden also became only the second Manchester City player ever sent off in a Premier League Manchester derby. The other was Bernardo Corradi in December 2006.
6. Nobody has won more at Old Trafford
City's victory was their 10th Premier League win away to Manchester United, making them the first visiting club to reach double figures at Old Trafford in the competition.
7. The derby belongs to the visitors
Home advantage has meant surprisingly little recently. Since the beginning of 2016-17, Manchester derbies have produced 10 away victories, the joint-most of any fixture in the English top flight during that period.
8. Ndiaye caused absolute havoc
Iliman Ndiaye's impact from the bench was unusual even by Opta's standards. He attempted six dribbles and won five fouls, becoming the first City substitute since Opta began recording the data in 2003-04 to register at least five of each in a Premier League match.
The previous Premier League substitute to hit both marks? Rajiv van La Parra for Huddersfield in 2017, also against Manchester United.
9. Four wins puts City in uncharted territory
City have now won their opening four Premier League matches for the seventh time, more than any other club.
There is a warning hidden inside that statistic, though. They went on to win the title on only two of the previous six occasions, in 2011-12 and 2023-24.
10. Maresca did what Guardiola did
Enzo Maresca became the latest City manager to win his first Premier League Manchester derby. Pep Guardiola and Manuel Pellegrini also won their first league derbies against United, meaning each of City's last three managers has started this fixture with a victory.
City left Old Trafford with 12 points from 12, another clean sheet and bragging rights.
United were left with a rather different number to think about: 67-plus minutes against 10 men, zero goals. What does Carrick need to do to get his team playing better?
