Manchester United prepare to host Manchester City in the opening Manchester derby of the campaign this Sunday afternoon.
The encounter marks the first meeting between the two clubs since a controversial previous fixture.
City, now under the management of Enzo Maresca following Pep Guardiola’s departure during the summer, will make the short trip to face their neighbours at Old Trafford.
The fixture has historically been characterised by heated incidents, with numerous confrontations occurring over the years.
One notable altercation took place in December 2017 when Guardiola and Jose Mourinho occupied the respective managerial positions.
By that point, Guardiola had been at the Etihad Stadium for twelve months, having secured victory in one of his initial two derbies alongside a draw from the other.
Nicolas Otamendi’s goal during the December 2017 encounter stretched City’s advantage over their rivals to eleven points at the Premier League summit.
However, City’s post-match celebrations at Old Trafford provoked a strong reaction from Mourinho, who considered the display excessive.
The United manager became embroiled in a heated exchange with opposing goalkeeper Ederson, with further disorder erupting in the aftermath.
Mourinho had milk thrown in his direction during the incident, while Mikel Arteta, who served on Guardiola’s coaching staff at the time, sustained cuts from a drinks container.
Reports indicated that approximately twenty players and club personnel became involved in the post-match confrontation.
Guardiola expressed regret over the brawl but maintained that he bore no responsibility for its occurrence.
When addressing the situation, he indicated that such celebrations were intended simply as expressions of enjoyment within the dressing room.
Two days subsequent to the incident, Mourinho suggested that the derby controversy had overshadowed United’s scheduled press conference ahead of their fixture against Bournemouth.
United secured a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford through goals scored by Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu, a result that contributed to the club finishing third in the final 2025/26 Premier League standings.