The Manchester derby is one of the most fiercely contested fixtures in English football, with Manchester United and Manchester City producing countless memorable moments over the years. The rivalry returns this weekend, with United hosting City at Old Trafford in a highly anticipated Premier League clash on Sunday, September 13.
Ahead of another chapter in the historic rivalry, here is a look at the top eight Manchester Derby goalscorers of all time, ranked by the number of goals they have scored in meetings between the two Manchester giants.
8. Paul Scholes – 5 Goals
A legendary figure at Manchester United, Paul Scholes enjoyed plenty of memorable moments against Manchester City throughout his illustrious career. The midfielder scored five Manchester derby goals, combining his trademark shooting ability with his exceptional timing when arriving in dangerous areas.
Scholes' derby goals included some particularly memorable strikes, helping establish his reputation as one of United's most dependable big-game players. His ability to influence matches from midfield made him a constant threat whenever City came to Old Trafford or United travelled across Manchester.
7. Anthony Martial – 5 Goals
Anthony Martial also sits on five Manchester derby goals, placing him level with Scholes on the all-time list.
The French forward had produced several important moments in the rivalry during his time at Manchester United. His pace, close control and ability to attack space made him a dangerous opponent for City's defence.
Martial's five goals put him among the most prolific United players in recent Manchester derby history, despite facing City during a period when Pep Guardiola's side became one of English football's dominant teams.
6. Marcus Rashford – 5 Goals
Another modern Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford has also scored five times against Manchester City in the derby.
Rashford has frequently been at his most dangerous when United have been able to exploit space behind City's defensive line. His speed and direct running have provided United with an important attacking outlet in the fixture.
With another Manchester derby approaching, Rashford will once again be one of the players City must keep a close eye on.
5. Eric Cantona – 7 Goals
Few players have left a bigger mark on Manchester United's history than Eric Cantona. The Frenchman scored seven Manchester derby goals, placing him among the most prolific players in the rivalry.
Cantona's combination of technical quality, confidence and creativity made him perfectly suited to high-pressure matches. He played a major role during one of the most successful periods in United's history and regularly demonstrated his ability to deliver when the stakes were highest.
His seven derby goals remain an impressive achievement, particularly considering the relatively short period he spent at Manchester United.
4. Phil Foden – 7 Goals
Phil Foden had emerged as one of Manchester City's most important homegrown stars in their modern era and has already scored seven Manchester derby goals.
The attacking midfielder's record is particularly impressive given his age and the fact that his career is still ongoing. Foden's technical ability, movement and understanding of City's attacking system have made him a significant threat against United.
His seven goals put him level with Cantona, but unlike the retired United legend, Foden has the opportunity to continue climbing the list in future derbies.
3. Wayne Rooney – 8 Goals
Wayne Rooney is one of the greatest goalscorers in Manchester United's history and has an equally impressive record in the derby. The former England captain scored eight Manchester derby goals during his career.
Rooney's goals came in a variety of ways, reflecting his versatility as an attacker. He could score from distance, finish inside the penalty area, create opportunities for teammates and produce spectacular moments when United needed them most.
His tally of eight has stood as one of the benchmark records in the rivalry and remains a significant part of his Manchester United legacy.
2. Sergio Agüero – 8 Goals
Sergio Agüero is another Manchester City legend with eight Manchester derby goals to his name.
The Argentine striker became synonymous with City's rise to the top of English football, combining exceptional movement with clinical finishing. His ability to find space inside crowded penalty areas made him a nightmare for defenders.
Agüero's eight goals put him level with Rooney and underline his importance to City's modern history. For years, his name was synonymous with Manchester City's biggest moments, making his place near the top of the derby scoring charts unsurprising.
1. Erling Haaland – 8 Goals
Erling Haaland has already reached the summit of the Manchester derby scoring charts despite having played significantly fewer derby matches than the legends around him.
The Norwegian striker has scored eight goals against Manchester United, putting him level with both Rooney and Agüero. His record is remarkable considering he only joined Manchester City in 2022.
Haaland has also started the 2026/27 campaign in prolific form, scoring in each of City's opening three Premier League victories before adding two goals against Porto in the Champions League.
That makes Sunday's derby particularly intriguing. United will have to find a way to contain a striker who has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to punish them.
Conclusion
The Manchester derby has produced some of the greatest goalscorers in English football history, from Cantona and Rooney to Agüero and the modern-day threat of Haaland.
With eight Manchester derby goals, Haaland currently shares the top spot with Rooney and Agüero. However, that could change in the upcoming clash at Old Trafford. If Haaland finds the net against Manchester United, he will move to nine derby goals and become the outright leading scorer in the history of the Manchester derby.
For Haaland, it would represent another remarkable milestone in an already extraordinary career. A goal on Sunday could see him break one of the most historic goalscoring records in English football's most famous rivalries.