Ten Hag hails Maguire after Man Utd beat Copenhagen
Manchester United host Manchester City at Old Trafford this afternoon. Erik ten Hag’s side are the underdogs in the 191st Manchester derby – as is routine these days. But 12 years ago this month, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Premier League champions welcomed City in the famous match’s 151st edition, expecting to win. No one could’ve predicted what unfolded.
Mario Balotelli opened the scoring after 22 minutes, unveiling that ‘Why Always Me?’ shirt now iconic in the blue side of the city.
The controversial Italian striker doubled the visitors’ lead on the hour mark, seemingly sealing a memorable win for Roberto Mancini’s title hopefuls.
Then Jonny Evans saw red. Then the floodgates opened. And, oh, was it memorable. For all the right reasons at the Etihad Stadium, for all the wrong reasons in United’s rapidly fading era of relentless success.
Sergio Aguero added a third less than 10 minutes later, to which Darren Fletcher responded with a wonderful strike.
The sense of respite didn’t last long among the home faithful, as a late flurry of goals – two from Edin Dzeko on either side of David Silva’s stoppage-time contribution – condemned the great Sir Alex to one of his illustrious career’s darkest days.
Man City XI: Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Yaya Toure, Barry, Milner (89′), David Silva; Balotelli (70′), Aguero (76′). Used Subs: Dzeko (70′), Nasri (76′), Kolarov (89′).
But what about United’s? And where are the 13 players who featured on that dark day now? Express Sport takes a look…
David de Gea
David de Gea’s shaky start to life at United was compounded by City’s clinical display in front of goal and the porous performances ahead of him.
But the Spaniard went on to have a successful career at Old Trafford, earning two Premier League Golden Gloves and four Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year awards.
De Gea may not have enjoyed the silverware-stuffed career joining a Sir Alex side promised. But he lifted eight trophies with the Red Devils, including the Premier League, before ending his 11-year stay this summer.
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Chris Smalling
Like De Gea, one of Chris Smalling’s first tastes of a Manchester derby will have left a bitter sensation on the tongue.
He played as a right-back on the day but made 323 appearances, mainly as a centre-back, before joining AS Roma on a permanent deal in 2020.
Smalling has thrived in the Serie A, reuniting with former United boss Jose Mourinho in Rome.
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand was already a United legend in 2011, but his performance in the derby was one of many indicators that he was past his best.
Three years later, he called quits on his United career, finishing on 455 appearances, before retiring from football after one forgettable season with Queen’s Park Rangers.
Ferdinand now works as a prominent pundit for TNT Sports and has his own YouTube channel, FIVE.
Jonny Evans
It’s a script even less likely than the chances of City winning 6-1 at Old Trafford in 2011. Evans is the only player to feature in that match still employed by one of the two clubs. But it’s been far from linear.
Much to fan disapproval, Evans left United in 2015 and spent positive spells at West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City until his release from the King Power Stadium this summer.
Following a successful training period in pre-season, Ten Hag opted to sign Evans permanently on a one-year contract. The 35-year-old has made five appearances this term.
Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra joined Ferdinand in leaving in 2014, having made 379 appearances for the Red Devils.
The charismatic Frenchman hung up his boots in 2018 after stints at Juventus, Marseille and West Ham United.
Evra is still a regular visitor at Old Trafford and has built a vast social media following with often entertaining and sometimes bizarre videos. He loves this game.
Nani (66′)
Nani departed United in 2015, registering a very respectable 41 goals and 71 assists in 230 games.
The tricky Portuguese winger has played for eight different clubs since walking away from United and, aged 36, still plays today.
Nani has scored and assisted twice in 14 appearances for Turkish outfit Adana Demirspor this season.
Darren Fletcher
Darren Fletcher’s strike was the only positive of the derby demolition, and he was another United icon to leave in 2015.
The Scotsman retired four years later after continuing his career at West Brom and Stoke City.
He now operates as United’s technical director and often helps Ten Hag conduct training sessions at Carrington. He could be among the club figures at risk if Sir Jim Ratcliffe buys a 25 per cent stake, though.
Anderson (66′)
Anderson arrived at United with all the potential in the world, having been named the Golden Boy in 2008. But his Old Trafford career stumbled to an underwhelming end.
He left in 2015, returning to Brazil with Internacional. Three years later, he joined Nani’s current club, Adana Demirspor, before retiring in 2020.
Anderson firmly remains a cult hero on the Stretford End.
Ashley Young
Ashley Young remained at United until 2020 in a nine-year stay, becoming the club’s captain one year before.
He spent one season at Inter Milan, helping the Nerazzurri lift the 2021 Serie A title, before returning to Aston Villa.
Young, now 38, joined Everton in the summer, and he is a regular fixture in Sean Dyche’s side as a full-back and winger.
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Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney’s United career warrants far more than three paragraphs. Everyone knows what the Red Devils legend had achieved and went on to achieve in football.
Rooney is United’s record goalscorer, surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton with 253 goals. He was England’s top goalscorer with 53 strikes in 120 caps before Harry Kane beat that total.
After leaving United in 2017, Rooney made an emotional return to Everton before spells at DC United and Derby County.
The 38-year-old transitioned into a coaching career at Pride Park and then coached DC United before his appointment at Birmingham City this month.
Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck was among those who departed in 2014 in Louis van Gaal’s ruthless first transfer window, joining Arsenal.
One year at Watford followed in 2019, and he has been at Brighton and Hove Albion since 2020.
He still features regularly under Roberto De Zerbi, scoring in Brighton’s 3-1 win at Old Trafford earlier this season. He’s made a habit of that since leaving M16.
Phil Jones (66′)
Phil Jones was one of two substitutes Sir Alex used to try and change the game at 2-0. It didn’t work.
Jones had joined United as one of England’s most promising defenders that summer, but regular injuries derailed his football career.
The 31-year-old somehow lasted 12 years at Old Trafford before his contract expired in July, making just six Premier League appearances in his final three seasons.
Javier Hernandez (66′)
Javier Hernandez couldn’t make an impact either, but he will forever be a cult hero at Old Trafford for his regular contributions off the bench.
‘Little Pea’ was part of the Van Gaal exodus in 2015, joining Bayer Leverkusen. He still plays at LA Galaxy, following further spells at West Ham and Sevilla.
The 35-year-old became the MLS’ highest-paid player when he moved to Los Angeles in 2020. He earned that stellar reputation at United.
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