Mario Balotelli told Manchester police he'd robbed a bank after City beat United

Everyone remembers Mario Balotelli's infamous 'Why always me?' celebration, but very few know that he told the police he'd robbed a bank following the fixture

Mario Balotelli scored two goals against Manchester United in the famous 6-1 derby(Image: ANDREW YATES/AFP via Getty Images)

Shaun Wright-Phillips has revealed that Mario Balotelli once told Manchester police that he'd "robbed a bank" after helping City thrash United 6-1 in the derby.

The striker, who spent two-and-a-half seasons with Manchester City, was well-known for his antics both on and off the pitch, which often landed him in trouble. Fans on the blue half of the city will forever look back fondly on his performance in one particular derby, where reigning Premier League champions Manchester United were thrashed 6-1 at Old Trafford.

Balotelli bagged a brace in this game and pulled his kit over his head to reveal an undershirt that read 'Why Always Me?', referring to the constant scrutiny he would face while playing in England.

Wright-Phillips, who spent seven seasons spread across two stints with City, appeared on BBC Sport's YouTube channel to discuss the upcoming derby this weekend and looked back at his time during these fierce games.

Wright-Phillips said of Balotelli: "He was like a 12-year-old in almost like an adult's body. Like the things he would do, you'd expect from a 12 or 13-year-old, like the fireworks in his bathroom. Like, who would think of that when you've got a garden? Why would you light fireworks in your bathroom?"

The 43-year-old went on to recount an incident after the infamous 6-1 game, where Balotelli ended up in a spot of bother with local authorities. "He said to me one time when he came to training, he's like, 'Shaun, you'll never guess what happened to me yesterday,'" Wright-Phillips recalled.

The Italian striker was cruising through Manchester celebrating his derby win(Image: Tullio Puglia/Getty Images)

"So he said to me, 'After the game, I decided I'm just going to drive through Orderly Edge with my roof down and sing Manchester City songs because we beat United.' And then he said he got pulled over.

"He's obviously got cash on him because he's going somewhere. Police have asked him why he's got cash. He's turned around, he said to me, 'I told them I robbed the bank.

"I was just like, 'Why would you like think of that?' That's just his personality. Like he said, it's just his character. I bet some player he could've been, and some player he was at the time."

Balotelli spent almost three seasons with City, scoring 30 goals and assisting six times in 80 appearances for the club. His time in Manchester was fraught with injury and suspension, as the young striker also struggled to control his on-pitch behaviour.

Mario Balotelli will always be remembered for his iconic celebration in the Manchester derby(Image: Sam Bagnall/AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)

Throughout his entire City tenure, the now-35-year-old was booked 21 times, two of which led to second offences and a sending off, and two straight red cards as well.

But despite all of his antics, Balotelli will always be remembered for his iconic celebration in that once-rare City win in the Manchester derby. Unfortunately for United, Pep Guardiola's side now often get the three points against them in this fixture.

However, Ruben Amorim will be planning to continue his momentum from United's 3-2 win over Burnley just before this month's international break, when the two old foes lock horns again at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.