In the Premier League era we've had Wayne Rooney's wonder goal, late winners and Mario Balotelli's 'why always me?' T-shirt.
The two storied clubs face off again on Sunday and although they may not be battling each other for the title, the occasion has not lost it ferocity.
One of the best matches of the last 30 years happened back in November 1993 and with a certain Roy Keane never far away from the action - shortly after he had joined from Nottingham Forest in a British transfer record.
But first the background. Manchester United had been dumped out of the Champions League, in the week leading up to the match, against Galatasaray.
It was a shock defeat on away goals into an intimidating arena in Turkey with Eric Cantona sent off and riot police even trying to pick fights with the players. Keano relished it, of course.
The masses at Maine Road would not let their bitter rivals off so easily as United fans and players a had to dodge boxes of Turkish Delight the home supporters had ever so kindly brought with them to taunt them some more.
Things were going swimmingly for the Red Devils in the Premier League as they were making a pretty decent fist of defending their crown.
But City went into the break at Maine Road 2-0 up and the place was rocking thanks to two Niall Quinn goals.
One thing you don't want to do is wind up Sir Alex Ferguson and a 1990s Man United side.
Cantona inspired the visitors in the second half and the mercurial Frenchman started to pull the strings.
He scored a goal early in the second half and then levelled things with 12 minutes to go.
United did not even need to go into Fergie time to grab a winner as Keane slammed home the winner in the 87th minute from a Denis Irwin cross to send the away support into raptures.
After the game, Keane told Sky Sports: "Basically we were on top in the first half, but gave away two silly goals. The manager said keep plugging away and there was a chance we'd always get back into it.
"We kept plugging away and luckily enough we did the business.
When asked about the atmosphere in his first Manchester derby, Keane added: "It was fantastic. I had a good chance in the first half, but I hit it straight at the keeper and should have scored.
"The manager had a word with me at half-time. We are just delighted with the three points after the disappointment of midweek."
He added: "I'm surprised I scored."
United then went undefeated for the next 15 league games, eventually retaining the title and adding the FA Cup to complete their first double.
Keane, meanwhile, went onto captain the club, taking the armband from Cantona at the start of the 1997/98 campaign and letting go when he left in 2005.
There's only one Keano, as the Old Trafford faithful say.