The great Denis Law has a significant part to play in my derby recollections – and so too does Clive Thomas.

My first derby was a 4-0 win over United at Maine Road in November 1969. Not a bad way to start. The memories of that game are inscribed not only in my mind, but in my hand too.

I recall diving at the feet of Denis to collect a ball, and suddenly feeling a searing pain in my hand. Keepers didn’t wear gloves in those days, and when I looked down at my hand, there were stud marks down the back.

When I looked up, Denis was trotting away, and he said: “Welcome to the First Division, son.” It was a test of my character – I was a rookie at the time, just a few days short of my 21st birthday – and I just brushed myself down and got on with it.

He was a great striker, Denis; always fully committed to the job. He and I became room-mates years later when he joined City. And he was he who backheeled that goal against United in 1974, on the day their relegation to the Second Division was confirmed.

I don’t think Denis realised straight away the significance of what he’d done, because his instinct was just to put the ball in the net.

But I was at the Stretford End, and I knew what was going to happen if we scored. The crowd invaded the pitch, and I was surrounded within seconds.

A couple of policemen stood either side of me and said: “We’re beside you, the net’s behind you; just stay where you are and you’ll be fine.”

Then another couple of policemen came over to help form a circle and escort me off the pitch.

Memories

I have some sad derby memories; I played in the game that finished Glyn Pardoe’s career in 1970, when his leg was broken in that tackle by George Best, and I was also on the pitch for the League Cup tie in 1975 when Colin Bell suffered that horrendous injury.

But there is the odd funny tale too. A few weeks before Denis’ backheel at Old Trafford, we played United at Maine Road in a midweek game. Lou Macari and Mike Doyle got involved in a case of handbags at 50 paces and were sent off. They were reluctant to go, so the referee – Mr Thomas – took everyone off.

But Alex Stepney and I didn’t know what was going on, because we were so far from the incident – so we were left out on the pitch!

I had a good record in derbies. Having played my first in 1969, I didn’t lose one until 1976. And even though City and United have some great strikers now, I wouldn’t have had any worries about facing them if I was still of a playing age.

I like the look of Sergio Aguero. He seems to be in the mould of Denis Law and Jimmy Greaves, a man who has the knack of being in the right place at the right time.

Edin Dzeko looks as if he has started to acclimatise to the Premier League too after a tricky start in England.

As for United, Wayne Rooney is a proven scorer, while Javier Hernandez has a habit of popping up with important goals too.

I’ve watched the United goalkeeping situation with interest, because I thought Edwin van der Sar’s retirement would be a major problem for them.

David de Gea will have to get used to the Van der Sar comparisons – I had to deal with being compared to Frank Swift and Bert Trautmann when I broke into City’s team at 20, so I know what that kind of pressure is like.

It’s something young keepers have to face. United have bought De Gea because they feel he can live up to those demands, and I’m sure he will.

CITY MAN TO WATCH: Nigel de Jong – a player whose defensive midfield qualities give City an extra sense of solidity. They do miss him when he’s not around, as Roberto Mancini has pointed out more than once.

Joe Corrigan was talking to Mike Whalley.

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