Battle of Manchester: United and City clash in the tunnel after derby
Milk, water and punches are reportedly thrown following the Blues’s win at Old Trafford

Usually a derby clash will see the teams battle on the pitch, but in Manchester the tensions and passion spilled over in the tunnel after City beat United 2-1 at Old Trafford.
City’s win extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 11 points, but the British media this morning are focussing on what happened in the tunnel in the aftermath of the Manchester derby.
Sky Sports reports that United boss Jose Mourinho was involved in a “confrontation” with City players after his side’s 2-1 loss. Sources told Sky that Mourinho had objected to City’s celebrations and clashed with City players near the changing rooms.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The 20-man melee, the Guardian says, saw police officers and stewards having to break up players and staff members from each team in an “extraordinary bust-up”.
Punches and bottles were thrown. Media outlets say that City assistant coach Mikel Arteta was left with “blood streaming down his face”.
The BBC says that Mourinho had water and milk thrown at him in the tunnel after reportedly becoming involved in an argument with City keeper Ederson.
While the real details are not clear, we look at how the media reported the clash and what United fans have to say on the matter.
From today’s back pages...
United fans wish their team showed more fight on the pitch.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - April 19, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - free trade, judicial pushback, and more
By The Week US
-
5 educational cartoons about the Harvard pushback
Cartoons Artists take on academic freedom, institutional resistance, and more
By The Week US
-
One-pan black chickpeas with baharat and orange recipe
The Week Recommends This one-pan dish offers bold flavours, low effort and minimum clean up
By The Week UK
-
Where are all the English football managers?
Talking Point Eddie Howe's Carabao Cup success underlines absence of homegrown coaching talent in the Premier League
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK
-
New Trafford: can it fix Manchester United's footballing problems?
Talking Point Plan for £2 billion stadium despite staff job losses and lack of success on the pitch
By The Week UK
-
Denis Law obituary: fond farewell to 'the King of the Stretford End'
In the Spotlight Scottish footballer who was one of Manchester United's 'Holy Trinity' has died aged 84
By The Week UK
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK
-
The wit and wisdom of Sven-Göran Eriksson
In Depth The first foreign coach to manage England on football, life and death
By The Week Staff
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson