Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Top 10 United Heroes of the Rivalry
A battle as old as time… Yet, none have ever “really” had the upper hand. They win some, we win some, they lose some, (I want to say we don’t, but) we lose some.
So before the electrifying action kicks off at Andfield this Sunday March 6th, here is the background story to this fierce North West rivalry. This derby is one of the highest profile games in the country and according to Ryan Giggs, “probably the most famous fixture in English football”.
The rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool stretches far back to the industrial age. During the late 1800s, Liverpool and Manchester United were competing heavily with each other for supremacy of the North West. Manchester was becoming a booming location for its manufacturing capabilities, where as Liverpool was becoming famous for the importance of its port.
Than in 1887, Manchester built the Manchester canal, a move that would prove to benefit Manchester greatly but have an adverse affect on Liverpool. The canal allowed ships to bypass Liverpool and have goods and services directly transported to Manchester.
Liverpool suffered high numbers of unemployment, and suffered an economic downturn because of the Manchester Canal. The ship on United's badge is meant to symbolize the ships that bypass Liverpool.
Moving forward to 1970s and 1980s, Liverpool experienced a high volume of success. Liverpool fans had something to cheer about, something that left many Manchester United fans bothered especially since their team was facing one of the worst periods in their history.
Since then, both Manchester United and Liverpool FC have grown in success, with United now being recognized as a world class city and footballing club.
The rivalry has extended to the players as well. United striker Wayne Rooney, a product of Liverpool’s city rivals Everton described how he grew up hating Liverpool FC, although he is from Liverpool.
Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard took a film crew on tour of his home where he showed off a collection of football shirts he had swapped with opposing players as part of the after match routine. He pointed out that there were no Manchester United shirts in there, and he would never have one of them in his house.
Manchester United’s Gary Neville has been publicly vocal in the past with regards to his dislike of Liverpool. Following a fixture where John O’Shea scored a stoppage time winner in front of the Kop in 2007, Neville described O’Shea’s achievement as “a lifelong dream” for himself.
Neville was berated by Liverpool fans for his role in celebrating in front of them in 2006, kissing the crest on his jersey and appearing to shout angrily towards the fans. The look of passionate hate on his face led to an FA review. He has headbutted Steve McManaman in the past leading to the fans singing a song proclaiming, “He hates Scousers.”
Since the start of the Premier League in 1992, Manchester has won 11 Premier League titles. Chasing the ever elusive 19th title to pass Liverpool. Manchester United is en-route to become the greatest English team of all time.
Here are the top 10 heroes of the North West derby who have led United to glory since the 1992 inception of the Premier League.
Gary Neville
1 of 11The most famous example of Neville's "Red mist" came On Jan. 22, 2006. Following Rio Ferdinand's last minute winner against Liverpool. Neville ran half the length of the Old Trafford pitch to perform this provocative celebration in front of the travelling Liverpool fans.
Neville was later charged with improper conduct by FA, fined £5,000 and warned about his future conduct. Not that he seemed unduly bothered: "Are you meant to smile sweetly and jog back to the halfway line?" he said of the incident. "People want footballers to be whiter than white. Do they want a game of robots?"
Manchester United fans have a special bond with life-long Red Devil Neville, a fact they celebrate with the time-honoured song:
Gary Neville is a Red, is a Red, is a Red
Gary Neville is a Red, he hates Scousers
"I can't stand Liverpool, I can't stand Liverpool people, I can't stand anything to do with them." Gary Neville, the type of man who probably has "Glory Glory Man Utd" as his ringtone, has never made any apologies for putting Scousers where he thinks they belong.
No other player has drummed up such drama against Liverpool as Gary Neville. A true Red Devils combatant, his commitment and desire to beat Liverpool will be missed.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
2 of 11Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a knack for scoring big goals, especially from the bench. Before he was putting the ball into the Germans net, he was gunning down the team from the M62. The Fourth Round FA match seemed to surely be heading for a replay. Solskjaer thought otherwise though.
With only a few minutes remaining Solskjaer decided he didn't fancy a trip to Liverpool, and can you blame him? After Solskjaer netted the winner, Old Trafford exploded, and assistant boss Phil Thompson rushed the pitch to argue with the referee.
If you listen closely the Old Trafford faithful start chiming in with a chorus of "sit down Pinocchio."
John O’Shea
3 of 11In 2007 with United and Chelsea neck-and-neck at the top of the table and with Paul Scholes sent off, it looked as though Liverpool may take all three points and help keep the title at Stamford Bridge.
With Rooney going off injured and replaced by O’Shea, the omens did not look good. However despite it looking as though United may just get a draw they went one better thanks to the most unlikely hero.
O’Shea explained after the game, “The winner in the 90th minute at Anfield in front of the Kop, Gary Neville has told me that it’s his dream, and I have just gone and done it.”
John O'Shea's goal to grab three points, was vital in Manchester United grabbing their 16th English title.
Eric Cantona
4 of 11The game started with a frenetic pace, and Manchester United started with several positive chances before Liverpool came back into the game, but chances at either end were limited. Neither goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel for United and David James for Liverpool, was seriously tested throughout the majority of the game.
However, with just five minutes remaining on the clock, David James tried to punch a corner clear. The ball landed just outside the penalty area, at the feet of United captain Eric Cantona, who had scored in his comeback game after a seven-month suspension at Old Trafford against Liverpool earlier that season in a game that ended 2–2.
Cantona hit his shot goal-wards, through the crowded penalty area and the ball nestled in the back of the goal, winning the game for United.
Cantona had been marked out of the game but true to his form all season, popped up with yet another magical moment.
Eric Cantona was one of the most exciting players to wear the Manchester United shirt and was always a constant threat to Liverpool.
Jamie Carragher
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No current Premiership player has scored more goals against Liverpool than Jamie Carragher. He has scored more goals against Liverpool than any other player, seven-own-goals to be exact. Andrei Arshavin with five goals is a close second.
Manchester United fans and some unfortunate Liverpool fans might recall Sept. 11, 1999. En route to a historic treble winning season, Manchester United beat Liverpool with some help by none other than Jamie Carragher. Sandwiched between two Jamie Carragher own goals, Andy Cole managed to score a header.
Let's hope this Sunday Carragher has his own-goal-scoring boots on... again.
Andy Cole
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Andy Cole scored 11 goals against Liverpool while scoring 93 goals in 195 apps for the Red Devils. As he hung up his boots in 2008, it is a source of pride to Andy Cole that only one player has scored more Premier League goals since the league’s launch in 1992.
In spells in the top flight with Newcastle United, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Sunderland and a brief cameo with Arsenal, he scored a remarkable total of 187 goals, a figure surpassed by only Alan Shearer (260). Thierry Henry, Robbie Fowler and Les Ferdinand are next on the list.
Although his career faltered after leaving Manchester United, his tenacity and knack for scoring goals made him one of the best English forwards of all time.
His ability to score big goals, especially against Liverpool made him a United legend.
Paul Scholes
7 of 11Paul Scholes believes the rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool will continue to grow as the hatred between both sets of fans increases each year.
Scholes told sportinglife.com, "You can't get away from the fact that both teams don't really like each other. We are both desperate to win and I don't think that will ever change. But you fear losing at this club, and against Liverpool in particular, so hopefully we can get the right result."
United's own Paul Scholes received special praise earlier this year by Spanish maestro Xavi. "In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen — the most complete — is Scholes. I have spoken with Xabi Alonso about this many times. Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything. He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn’t give possession away. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more."
If Manchester United want to come away with three points this weekend, the services, experience and skill of Paul Scholes orchestrating the attack will be crucial.
Wayne Rooney
8 of 11Proclaiming hatred for Liverpool is a sure fire way to win the hearts of the Old Trafford faithful. Wayne Rooney grew up in the city of Liverpool, as an Everton supporter, and player.
"I grew up an Everton fan, my whole family are Everton fans and I grew up hating Liverpool – and that hasn't changed. I think coming to Old Trafford will be a difficult game for them. They know they need to win, they need the three points. I'm sure they will be up for it and we certainly will be too."
Wayne Rooney has grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons this year. Some flashes of brilliance against Manchester City and Aston Villa show why Rooney is a top footballer. However, recent issues, including "elbow-gate," trying to force through a transfer and cheating on his wife, have scared Rooney's name.
Let's hope that Rooney can turn his unfortunate instances and inconsistencies into goals and raw passion this Sunday.
Roy Keane
9 of 11Roy Keane is regarded as one of Manchester United's best captains ever
As captain of Manchester United between the years 1997 and 2005, Keane won the FA Cup three times and made the final one other time, the Community Shield three times, and the Champions League (1999, though he was suspended for the final, he was influential in getting United there).
No stranger to controversy, drama and red cards, Roy Keane always inspired United to press on.
Manchester United's midfield general owned the center of the park against Liverpool, often putting in performances that overshadowed Liverpool's own midfield general Steven Gerrard, for good or bad reasons.
Responding to a statement by Sir Alex Ferguson regarding Steven Gerrard's skill, Roy Keane stated, "The manager was very complimentary about Gerrard, and there's no doubt he is a very good player, but I still feel I am better than him, and that's not being big-headed."
Roy Keane was the type of player who would do anything, ethical, moral or not to win a game. His antics, and controversies typically landed him in the headlines and left a sour taste in many pundits mouth, but his desire to win is something everyone should admire.
Ryan Giggs
10 of 11His first meeting with the Merseysiders was as a 17-year-old.
“I don’t remember it,” croaks the old boy. “I used to remember every game I’ve played.”
He’ll never forget his second. It was Anfield, April 1992, and United lost 2-0, thereby surrendering the championship to Leeds United. Leaving the stadium, a young Scouser asked for Giggs’s signature and when Giggs obliged, he tore it up in his face.
Said Ryan Giggs about Liverpool, “I also know that it’s the team I get the most pleasure out of beating. There’s been controversy over the years because the rivalry on and off the pitch is massive but getting involved in that has never been part of my make-up. I try and just stay out of it, leave it to the likes of Keaney and Gaz.”
Ryan Giggs has had one of the most illustrious careers of all time. The age-defying Welsh wizard has been a crucial part of Manchester United's success in tieing Liverpools 18 league titles.
Beating Liverpool this sunday and going on to secure the 19th League title would add yet another record and accomplishment to Ryan Giggs's ever growing list of achievements.
Honorable Mentions
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Sir Alex Ferguson
Diego Forlan
David Beckham
Dwight Yorke
Dennis Irwin
Nemanja Vidic
Carlos Tevez
Dimitar Berbatov
