As night falls, at 00:30 GMT on December 16th, Manchester United's battleship will be sailing towards Manchester City's harbor, and a fiery Manchester City derby is about to kick off. In a recent conversation, former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt not only gave his insight into the upcoming match, but also looked back fondly on the glory days of Manchester United and the unforgettable Manchester City Derby he experienced.
Bart revealed that while he was playing for Manchester United, the Red Devils were in their golden age of dominance in the Manchester derby. Particularly in the period between 1997 and 2000, when City were still struggling for relegation, United became the city's unbeatable rivals. Bart only lost one of the eight derbies he was involved in, with the remaining five ending in victory. Referring to those years, he lamented, "I enjoyed the rivalries. More crucially, we won almost every game and every time I returned home, it was as if I had endless things to talk about. It was a great time."
Talking about the Manchester derby, Bart believes that it is not only a soccer match, but also a regional competition that carries a deep emotional attachment. He exclaimed, "It's a contest between territories, and the passion that goes into preparing for a derby, especially when you've grown up on the land and are a die-hard Manchester United fan, is an emotion that's hard to put into words." He recalled Derby Day as a special day when the whole city was immersed in a feverish atmosphere, no different from derby matches elsewhere.
Bart also mentioned the new changes in the Manchester derby in recent years. He noted that both Manchester United and Manchester City are undergoing a metamorphosis. United seeks to counterattack while solidly defending, while City struggles to keep up with Rashford. This makes the derby full of uncertainty now. The result of the derby is unpredictable," he said. City could win 5-0 and we could win 2-1 or 2-0. Anything is possible and that's what's most attractive about derbies."
The Manchester City Derby will undoubtedly be a marquee matchup. Even though Manchester United is playing slightly worse than Manchester City in the Premier League, this derby still carries a special meaning for the United fans and players. They are looking forward to challenging City on the road and providing a great match for their fans.
