Top Ten: Manchester United vs Liverpool Derbies
Dan Gilmore
Posted on: 21 October 2009 - 15:33
Football
It’s an argument that will never die: what is the world’s most vitriolic derby game? This is sadly a question that in all honesty will never be truly and honestly answered. The problem is clearly one of subjectivity: Celtic and Rangers fans are blind to the madness that surrounds the Buenos Aries Classico between Bocca and River, whilst Besiktas and Galatasary will never understand the nuances of Lancashire’s great battle between Blackburn and Burnley. Hooligan culture and the crass nature partisan support is rooted in all manner of unpleasant things: from religious bigotry and war to class and race divisions, nevertheless the kind of fixtures that fire the blood are often the most interesting and important as they retain a semblance of soul and pride in a game increasingly in thrall to the power of money and politically correct sanitization.
Without doubt Manchester United – Liverpool ranks as the definitive fixture in modern English football; these are the two teams who have historically dominated the premier tier of League and Cup competitions since WWII and who also boast, for better of for worse, the largest global fan bases of all British Clubs. According to some media outlets this is still the most widely viewed domestic club game in the world, even beating the likes of Barca-Madrid.
Whilst the historic rivalry between the two cities, which dates back to the Industrial Revolution, means about as much to Korean and Indian fans half a world away, as the idiotic songs about ‘Munich’ and ‘Hillsborough,’ which sadly still get an airing, both sides still enjoy solidly vitriolic bases of local, hardcore support, despite what the mainstream media would have you believe. This is a game that has been and always will be mired in hatred, violence and passion, and though it could certainly do without the lamentable chants celebrating the two club’s respective tragedies, the excitement and anticipation that this fixture conjures is something to savour and enjoy, especially for the neutral.
Never the most fluid of fixtures, the one’s fans remember most fondly from the past are often those which made the difference between possible title or cup success, on the part of their enemy.
1. Man United 2 – Liverpool 1
FA Cup Final 1977
Liverpool were riding high and going for an unprecedented Treble, under the direction of Bob Paisley. United meanwhile had struggled to sixth in the table. Far from a brilliant game but the winner deflected off Jimmy Greenhoff, rescued United fans from enduring the horror of seeing Liverpool cementing their domestic dominance further.
2. Liverpool 2 – Man United 0
Anfield, First Division, 1992
United had gone 26 agonising years without a title whilst having to watch their fierce rivals winning numerous domestic and European honours. They travelled to Anfield in late April needing a win to continue their title challenge. Sunk by a late Ian Rush goal, the miserable United fans were serenaded by the Kop to ‘You’ll never win the league.’ When Leeds nicked the title a few weeks later it seemed to many that United really wouldn’t.
3. Liverpool 4 – Man United 4
Anfield, First Division, 1953
United were flying high with the first young prototypes of the Busy Babes arriving at Anfield in confident mood. Jack Rowley put United ahead but a quick hatrick from Louis Bimpson and another from Bill Jones saw Liverpool move to 4-2. United fought back and Tommy Taylor equalised in controversial fashion, bundling keeper and ball over the line together. The Kop was so incensed police had to form a cordon, and Liverpool were relegated at the end of the season. How times have changed eh!
4. Liverpool 3 – Man United 3
Anfield, Premier League, 1993
United had just won the title for the first time since 1967 and Liverpool were embarking on a barren run that has looks set to continue past 2010. A jubilant United were three nil up after twenty-four minutes and Anfield was simmering with disbelieving anger. Cue two goals from Nigel Cough and a Neil Ruddock equalizer eleven minutes from time and a semblance of order was restored. United would go on to win the double.
5. Liverpool 2 - Manchester United 1
Wembley, Milk Cup, 1983
United were chasing their first trophy under Ron Atkinson and big Norman Whiteside had put them one nil up early on with a goal that left Alan Hansen looking decidedly foolish. Alan Kennedy equalised in the dying minutes and extra time saw United striker Frank Stapleton having to cover for defence decimated by injury. Not that anyone could argue with the winner, a superb curling effort from Ronnie Whelan into the top right hand corner. Another great season for Liverpool and following FA Cup Final defeat to Brighton a couple of weeks later, yet more misery for United.
6. Man United 2 – Liverpool 1
FA Cup Semi Final, Maine Road, 1985
United became famous in the Eighties for consistently foiling Liverpool’s cup aspirations. On a wild night at Maine Road, United fans took over their local foes notorious Kippax Stand to roar their team to victory. Brilliant goals from Bryan Robson and Hughes sealed the tie, and the ensuing pitch invasion showed just how much it meant to United fans.
7. Liverpool 3 – Man United 3
Anfield, First Division, 1988
A game that will forever be remembered for Gordon Strachan smoking an imaginary cigar in front of the Kop after completing United’s two goal comeback. It was Norman Whiteside who truly changed the game however, kicking lumps out of the Liverpool midfield, who seemed to be coasting with Barnes and Beardsley controlling the channels with consummate ease.
8. Manchester United 2 – Liverpool 2
Old Trafford, Premier League, 1995
This game was about one man and one man only: Eric Canona. Returning from a lengthy ban for displaying proficient skill in the art of ‘Kung Fu’ at Selhurst Park, Cantona returned to score an equalising penalty and send Old Trafford into raptures as United came back to draw with a Liverpool side who were leading courtesy of two excellent Robbie Fowler goals.
9. Liverpool 0 - Manchester United 1
Anfield, Premier League, 2007
United had gone three years without a title but had enjoyed an excellent season battling Chelsea at the top of the table. A tough trip to Anfield saw Sir Alex Ferguson’s nervous side completely outplayed and after Paul Scholes was sent off in the last ten minutes United fans would have happily settled for a point. Cue Peter Crouch missing a sitter in the 92nd minute before United raced up field and won a free kick, from which John O’Shea scored subsequently scored in front of a stony faced Kop. After their dramatic smash and grab United went on to win the 16th League Title.
10. Man United 1 – Liverpool 4
Old Trafford, Premier League, 2009
Dominating the league table and chasing their way to equalling Liverpool’s historic title haul United were in confident mood. A Ronaldo penalty settled the nerves but a defensive horror show from Nemanja Vidic and wonderful displays from Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard saw Liverpool tear United apart at Old Trafford quite unlike any other team has managed in recent memory.