[7] The previous Premier League game between the two teams at Old Trafford resulted in a 2–1 win for United with goals from Nani and the bicycle kick of Wayne Rooney, however the most recent match between the two sides had been at Wembley Stadium in August 2011 for the annual Community Shield, when United won 3–2 thanks to goals from Chris Smalling and a double from Nani.

In total, United had recorded 66 victories in competitive meetings with their rivals; City won 43 of the matches and there had been 50 draws.

Since the mid-1970s, United had been the better-performing of the Manchester clubs; they finished above City every year from 1990, and during the 1998–99 season they were two divisions above their local rivals.

City had secured qualification for the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League in the previous season and would play in the competition for the first time.

On the other side of the divide United had brought in three signings on undisclosed fees with Aguero's Atlético teammate David de Gea joining Ashley Young from Aston Villa and Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers.

[12] Following discussions with Mancini, club owner Sheikh Mansour authorised the placing of Tevez on garden leave where the Argentinian would be paid in full but instructed to stay away from the City training ground.

City headed into the game missing Carlos Tevez due to an internal suspension, while Nigel de Jong was doubtful with a hip injury.

[20] The second half started poorly for United when Evans was given a straight red card in the 47th minute after pulling back Balotelli and denying him a clear goalscoring opportunity as the last defender.

[21] City now on the front foot went close had when Balotelli picked out Sergio Agüero with a deep cross but the striker failed to connect with a volley.

United applied more pressure with Rooney testing Hart again but City made their numerical superiority count with a well-worked second goal for Balotelli, making it 2–0.

David Silva caught out the home defence with a brilliant ball for Milner inside the area and Balotelli arrived unmarked to turn in his cross for a sixth goal in five games.

[5][22] In the 81st minute Darren Fletcher made it 3–1, scoring a consolation for United with a curling strike from the edge of the area into the top right-hand corner.

In the first minute of added time, Džeko turned provider as he put David Silva through on goal with the Spanish midfielder racing into the penalty box before side-footing a left-foot shot low under De Gea.

[28] Mancini emphasized that winning against the team like United was useful for boosting the confidence of the players but, in the manager's opinion, it was not the best possible performance of City.

Since the creation of the Premier League in 1992, it was United's heaviest home defeat and the first time they had conceded six goals since being beaten 6–3 by Southampton on 26 October 1996.

The following week, Ferguson's team won an away match against Everton, while City continued their streak of positive results with a 3–1 home win against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

For United, this was their worst defeat in the Premier League (since 1992), their heaviest loss at Old Trafford since 1955 and the first time they had conceded six goals at home since 1930.

[citation needed] In response to all the newspapers blaming him for his actions and lifestyle, particularly an incident on 21 October 2011, when a firework ignited the curtains causing his house to almost burst into flames,[31][32] Balotelli decided to print a message on his undershirt and to reveal it during the derby.

[34] Balotelli used the slogan just one more time, on 18 May 2013, in one of his tweets,[35] in response to the interview conducted by CNN regarding his transfer to AC Milan,[36] even if he considers it one of the biggest mistakes of his career.

[37] In 2023 whilst appearing as a guest on Ian Wright's podcast Wrighty's House, Oasis frontman and City fan Noel Gallagher recalled asking Balotelli for the shirt, who although agreeing sent him a different top.

I still got it framed at home though.”[38] The next fixture between the two games was an FA Cup third round tie played at the City of Manchester Stadium on 8 January 2012.

[41] Meanwhile, QPR entered the match one spot above the relegation zone, knowing that a draw would secure safety at the expense of Bolton Wanderers.

Talking in 2021 on the Match of the Day podcast alongside Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards recalled "I came through the academy at City, they (United) were always arrogant, always horrible.