Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha have reflected on a comical event as Manchester City ran out historic 2-1 winners over Manchester United at Old Trafford in 2008.
City were disciplined and hard-working, keeping Cristiano Ronaldo and the United attack at bay until Michael Carrick bagged a consolation goal in the 90th minute. The promising City side were shepherded by Sven Goran Eriksson, who was manager of the Citizens at the time.
United, who were playing in a commemorative strip to honour the victims of the Munich air disaster, succumbed to a league double to their cross-city rivals for the first time since the 1969/70 season, aided by the goals of Benjani and Darius Vassell, who both scored before half-time.
And former City academy products Ireland and Onuoha have a hilarious story to tell involving goalscorer Vassell and Rio Ferdinand, who didn't have his greatest game in a United shirt.
Speaking on his 'Kickback with Nedum' podcast, Onuoha joked with Ireland about feeling confident that City would win at Old Trafford in the dressing-room at half-time because of the record of one of the goalscorers.
"One of my favourite memories of you was in 2008 where we went to Old Trafford with Sven [Goran Eriksson], and we beat United 2-1 when Darius [Vassell] and Benjani scored," Onuoha began.
"Darius scored in the first half, and we knew that every time Darius had scored, we’d never lost a game. And I’m sitting in the dressing room at half time looking across at him, and I’m looking at you as well, and I was just like ‘ha, nobody say anything, nobody say a word’."
He then continued to reflect on Ireland's performance and how he prevented United icon Rio Ferdinand from getting into the game.
"In that game itself, I remember you must have taken the ball of Rio [Ferdinand] probably five to ten times," he added.
"He was trying to play reverse balls, no looks, and it was like ‘no! Stevie read that’, and it got to a point where it was hilarious.’
"For as great a player that Rio is and was that day, he did not know how to deal with you. I was so grateful you were on our team. That was probably the most lost he’s ever been in his whole career. What a moment that was."
"He was trying to double bluff me," Ireland replied. "H e was trying to give me the eyes by not giving me the eyes. And I still took it!
"Then it got to the point where he was calling me all sorts. He was just getting so frustrated. Veins were popping out of his neck. I look back at that laughing as well."
