Eight of the best Premier League Manchester derby goals

Here, Flashscore look at some of the best strikes from an iconic Premier League rivalry.

Craig Bellamy (4-3, 2009)

Astonishingly, Craig Bellamy's fantastic curling effort from the edge of the area isn't the most memorable goal from a dramatic 4-3 United victory in 2009.

The Welshman picked up the ball out wide on the left-hand side before driving forwards, cutting inside and curling a shot into the far corner, sending the travelling City fans into bedlam during what would become one of the best Manchester derbies ever.

Michael Owen (4-3, 2009)

While not close to the quality of Bellamy's strike earlier in the game, the significance of Michael Owen's late winner was huge and made it one of the most memorable goals ever scored between the two sides.

Owen netted his first Old Trafford goal deep into injury time after being played in by Ryan Giggs, poking the ball past Shay Given.

The iconic late winner brought a whole new meaning to the term 'Fergie time' as United won the match in the 96th minute.

Watch both Owen and Bellamy's goals below

David Beckham (1-0, 2000)

David Beckham netted the only goal of the game as United triumphed against what was at the time a much weaker City side.

The set-piece specialist fired in a free-kick from 30 yards out, bending the ball away from the opposition goalkeeper and into the far corner.

Beckham scored a number of superb goals from dead-ball situations and that one was right up there with the best of them.

Scroll to 1:23 to see Beckham's strike!

Mario Balotelli (6-1, 2011)

In terms of iconic moments, very few come close to Mario Balotelli in 2011.

The Italian's time at City was surrounded with controversy and constant targeting from the media - including during late 2011 when stories were released detailing how he reportedly set his own house ablaze after setting off fireworks inside.

With the media scrutiny that followed, Balotelli responded in a way that only he could after scoring his first goal in a 6-1 win, lifting his shirt up to reveal the now iconic 'Why always me?' quote written on the thermal layer below his kit.

Edin Dzeko (6-1, 2011)

Later on in that same match, Edin Dzeko rounded off the scoring with a cool finish past David de Gea to condemn United to their heaviest home defeat for over 50 years.

What made the goal all the more special was the assist to set it up, procided by David Silva.

The Spaniard split United's defence with a sublime volleyed pass from inside his own half which left Deko one-on-one to score.

Looking back now, that goal marked a point in time where a power-shift started to pick up steam in Manchester, with City going on to become the dominant force in that part of the country for the next decade.

See the goal at the end of the video above for Balotelli's entry!

Scott McTominay (2-0, 2020)

Moving to more recent times, Scott McTominay scored a superb long-range strike in 2020 as United secured a 2-0 win against Pep Guardiola's City.

Both goals in that game came from goalkeeping errors by Ederson but that doesn't take anything away from the quality of McTominay's effort.

The ball came to him midway through the City half after Ederson's wayward throw and the Scottish midfielder struck it first time to fire into an empty net.

While not as impressive as some on this list, it perhaps isn't as well remembered due to the COVID-10 pandemic that followed shortly after, with the 2019/20 season being postponed as a result.

Erling Haaland (6-3, 2022)

Another goal where the quality of pass was probably better than the finish itself, Erling Haaland's second strike in his first ever Manchester derby was set up beautifully by Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian took four United defenders out of the game with one pass to the back post for Haaland to slide in and finish - even when it looked nearly impossible to reach.

The Norwegian went on to score a hat-trick alongside Phil Foden who also netted three as City won 6-3.

Wayne Rooney (2-1, 2011)

Lastly, the most iconic strike in Manchester derby history.

Wayne Rooney's overhead kick in February 2011 goes down as one of the best Premier League goals ever scored - despite the fact it might have come off his shin.

The Englishman's physics-defying finish saw the match end 2-1 to United, who would go on to win the Premier League that same season.