Some players take years to make a derby their own. Erling Haaland has needed eight matches.
The Headline Number
His winner at Old Trafford on September 13 was his ninth goal in eight Premier League appearances against Manchester United, making him the outright top scorer in the fixture’s Premier League history. For context on how that goal arrived, see our report on the 199th Manchester derby.
The Wider Derby Picture
- 199 meetings have now been played between the two clubs, dating back to 1881
- United still lead the all-time series with 81 wins to City’s 63, with 55 draws
- Wayne Rooney remains the derby’s all-time top scorer across all competitions with 11
- September’s win was City’s 64th in the fixture
Climbing City’s All-Time List
Beyond the derby, Haaland has moved clear as the third-highest scorer in Manchester City’s 132-year history, sitting on 168 club goals and now nine short of second-placed Eric Brook. That trajectory, at his age, puts the club’s outright record within genuine reach.
Why the Derby Suits Him
Haaland thrives in matches with transition and space, and derbies at Old Trafford have repeatedly given him both. Even in a game where City had 10 men and barely attacked, one cross was enough.
The Bigger Chase
These milestones feed directly into the individual race covered in our Premier League Golden Boot breakdown, and into his standing among the Ballon d’Or contenders discussed in our weekly stars roundup. The next derby comes at the Etihad in March 2027.