Meetings with Liverpool this month have been a sobering experience for both Manchester clubs. And not just because of damaging results on the field.
In the stands, City and United have been let down by the actions of some of their supporters in stooping to a lowest common denominator - using the Hillsborough disaster to bait Reds fans.
At Wembley on Saturday in the FA Cup semi-final, a group of City followers chanted throughout the minute's silence in memory of the 97 victims of the Hillsborough tragedy. The Liverpool end - and, it must be said, many City supporters - were outraged, with referee Michael Oliver being forced to cut short the period of remembrance.
