The away end at the Manchester derby last night wasn’t just about deafening chants and celebratory limbs flying. Manchester United emerged victorious in a pulsating 2-1 win over City, with goals from Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes sealing the deal.
For City, Joško Gvardiol found the back of the net, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Red Devils from coming back from 1 goal and clinching bragging rights.
Amidst the euphoria of a dramatic 2-1 United victory, a new banner unfurled by Manchester United fans stole the spotlight. Displayed prominently, it bore three cryptic numbers: 115, 3007, and 192.
What could these numbers possibly mean? Clever digs? Hidden history? A combination of both?
However, this wasn’t the first time a particular flag caught the attention of fans.
The same banner was spotted just days earlier during United’s Europa League away game against Viktoria Plzeň. But last night, under the intense spotlight of the Manchester Derby, it became the talk of the town.
While some fans scratched their heads, others quickly deciphered the humor and intent behind the banner. But to truly understand it, let’s dissect the numbers and their relevance in the never-ending Manchester rivalry.
115: A Dig at City’s Financial Controversies
The first figure, 115, represents the widely publicized 115 financial charges brought against Manchester City by the Premier League. These charges accuse City of breaching financial regulations, including falsifying sponsorship deals and misleading accounts for transfers and other football transactions within and outside the club.
According to rumors, if found guilty, City and Pep could, at worst, get stripped off their honors and titles in the seasons where these potential offenses were committed. A certain Jose Mourinho is grinning in the corner right now as he took his Manchester United side to the 2nd position, just behind City in the 2017-18 Premier League season with 81 points. This specific season falls under the time period of the charges being accused of them, and thus, the potential judgement in this case would pave the path to a giant tsunami of memes and controversy.
Adding to the banter, one fan humorously suggested:
“They have to update it to 130.”
This refers to recent rumors that City’s charge count has increased. Whether true or not, it only fuels the narrative for United supporters, who are all too happy to use it as ammunition in their war of words.
3007: A Glimpse Into City’s Less Glamorous Past
The middle figure, 3007, alludes to the crowd attendance for a Manchester City game against Mansfield Town in the 1990s. At a time when City languished in English football’s lower leagues, just over 3,000 fans turned up for the match—a far cry from the global phenomenon they are today. This was a match played in the 1st Round of the Auto Windscreens Shield, where City won 2-1 at home to Mansfield. Blimey, now that’s surely among the darkest moments in City’s history, across all eras. It was played on 8th December, 1998.
This statistic offers a biting reminder of City’s pre-oil-money struggles. For United fans, it’s an amusing contrast: while they’ve consistently drawn sell-out crowds, City once played to near-empty stadiums.
Reflecting on this, one fan quipped:
“According to City fans you speak, they were all at Mansfield.”
This comment takes a jab at City fans who claim to have supported the club “through thick and thin,” implying that their actual fanbase back then was far smaller than their claims suggest.
192: The Bus Route Back to Stockport
The final figure, 192, is arguably the most humorous dig of the three. It references the bus route connecting Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium to Stockport, a town famously associated with many City fans.
The cheeky implication here is simple: after United’s derby victory, City fans should hop on the 192 bus and head back home in defeat. One fan hilariously described the banner as:
“So clever. Love it. The 115 I got, but the crowd v Mansfield and the bus no back to Stockport is genius.”
Adding a personal touch, another fan mentioned:
“I get the 192 bus sometimes when I go to Manchester.”
It’s this mix of humor and subtlety that makes the banner a masterstroke in football banter.
Fan Reactions: A Viral Hit
The flag quickly became a sensation online, with fans celebrating its creativity. Here’s what some fans had to say:
“Glorious sight to see!!!!”
“My new favorite flag!!!!! Get in!!! 🔴⚫”
But the most poetic reaction came in the form of a chant:
“We won 3 in a row
we won 3 in a row
without any CHEATING/CHARGES/SPORTSWASHING
we won 3 in a row … TWICE!!!
Manchester will always be RED.”
The chant encapsulates United fans’ pride in their club’s history and traditions, bantering against the accusations surrounding City’s rise.
The Banner That Redefined Derby Day Banter
The “115-3007-192” banner is a perfect example of how football rivalries go beyond the pitch. In three simple numbers, Manchester United fans managed to highlight City’s financial controversies, humble past, and regional ties in a way that’s both clever and cutting.
Whether City fans will retaliate with a flag of their own remains to be seen, but for now, this banner has firmly secured its place in derby-day folklore. As one fan aptly put it:
“What a flag. So clever. Love it.”
Manchester may be a city divided by football allegiances, but last night at least, it was definitely painted red—with a cheeky flag waving proudly in the away end, reminding the blue half of its 115 reasons to frown, a 3007-sized shadow on their history, and the 192 bus ready to take them back to Stockport.
