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The Liverpool - Manchester United fixture also known as The Derby of England in English football is one of the most significant sporting rivalries in the world. Both clubs hail from the north-west and are geographically very close, they are also the two most successful teams in England, having won 107 trophies between themselves. The fixture is usually played at midday, due to both media (TV) interest and to discourage fans from drinking before the game.

Roots

Inter-City Rivalry

The rivalry can be considered as a manifestation of one which already had existed between the two cities since industrial times. During this time both were competing with each other for supremacy of the north-west, with Manchester famous for its manufacturing prowess while Liverpool was famous for the importance of its port. During the time since, the two cities had been in decline but have been ascending rapidly over recent years. Recently, Manchester hosted the 2002 Commonwealth Games, while Liverpool has been awarded the title of 2008 European Capital of Culture.

Football Rivalry

Both clubs claim the title of 'the Greatest English Football Club', with Liverpool winning a total of 58 major trophies, while Manchester United have 49. Liverpool dominated English football during the 1970s and 1980s, winning the European Cup four times during that period.

Manchester United have been the most successful English team of the 1990s and early 2000s, winning the second English treble (of the European Cup, the Premiership and the FA Cup) in 1999.

As well as competing on the football pitch, both teams are also two of the biggest-earning clubs in the world, based on revenue. The two also have among the largest fanbases in England and internationally.

Taunts and Clashes

Due to the fact that the two clubs are situated only about 30 miles apart, fans of Manchester United and Liverpool often have fracas before and after a game is played between them.

The two clubs also berate each other with slogans and banners. Liverpool supporters once issued a banner at the 2003 League Cup Final between Liverpool and Man United (a 2-0 win for Liverpool) stating 'Don't bomb Iraq, nuke Manchester!' and have displayed other banners with slogans such as 'We achieve your dreams', while the Manchester faithful proclaim that Liverpudlians are scum of the earth and thieves who would steal from their granny if necessary. In 2001, when Liverpool completed a unique treble of the League Cup, FA Cup, and UEFA Cup, United fans mocked it as a "Tin Cup Treble" or "Mickey Mouse Treble", due to the lower status of the League Cup and UEFA Cup. Manchester United fans have been known to sing songs about the Heysel Stadium disaster and Hillsborough disaster, while Liverpool fans have sang about the Munich air disaster. Also, one of Manchester United's chants, called "Glory, Glory, Man United," has been parodied by Liverpool supporters to be, "Who the Fuck are Man United?" However, Manchester United fans have now taken that taunt and use it against all clubs in a sarcastic tone when United have either scored or come back from a goal behind to win a match.

Player Transfers

The rivalry between the two clubs has become so intense that since the 1964 transfer of Phil Chisnall from United to Liverpool, no player has been transferred since. Some players however have played for both clubs, but having played elsewhere between each tenure, such as Paul Ince. But in 2007 there is currently talk of a rare transfer of Argentine Gabriel Heinze from United to Liverpool.

Statistics

Out of 148 fixtures contested Head to Head:

United wins: 56

Draws: 43

Liverpool wins: 49

Out of major trophies won:

Liverpool - 18 league titles, 5 European Cups, 7 FA Cups

Manchester United - 16 league titles, 2 European Cups, 11 FA Cups

Last 5 Head-to-head Fixtures

See also

• Liverpool F.C.
• Manchester United F.C.
• Major football rivalries

References

1. "Man Utd drops down wealth league". BBC Sport. 2007-02-08. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
2. "The day that Phil crossed the great divide!". Liverpool Echo. 2007-07-06. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
3. "Liverpool Eyeing Heinze". thesoccerblog.org. 2007-07-03. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
4. "Liverpool 0-1 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 2007-03-03. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
5. "Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 2006-08-22. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
6. "Liverpool 1-0 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 2006-02-18. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
7. "Man Utd 1-0 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 2006-01-22. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
8. "Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 2005-09-18. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

• FootballDerbies.com

• Articles lacking sources from May 2007
• Football (soccer) rivalries
• Liverpool F.C.
• Manchester United F.C.