Man Utd vs. Liverpool: A Classic Derby Match

The North West Derby, one of the biggest, most competitive derbies in the world is about to be live on the 24th of February 2019.

Manchester United Football club will face off with Liverpool at the Old Trafford in one of the most iconic and fiercest English Premier League rivalries. (Be there! Get Tickets to the match, here.)

Introducing You To The Remarkable North West Derby

Tagged the North West Derby because both cities, Manchester and Liverpool are located exactly 35 miles (56km) apart in the North Western region of England; the rivalry between these cities and teams dates back to the 18th century. Political tension, historic industrial and economic rivalry, and the need to be the superior city are both off-field rivalries that have contributed to the fiery on-field rivalry between both these teams.

Manchester United Football Club

Manchester United was formed in 1878 as the Newton Heath Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Football Club. The club played its first competitive match as a professional club side in the 1886 Football Association Challenge Cup (FA Cup). The match versus the Fleetwood Rangers ended in a two all draw, but Newton Heath LYR got disqualified in that first round.

The Manchester United Culture

When in the city of Manchester, culturally speaking, certain things must be done, to get the most out of the experience of visiting this historic city.

• Go Late Night Bowling

The Dog Bowl also doubles as a restaurant, and you can get a beer and enjoy a game of bowling with friends late into the night.

• Enjoy A Beer In The Smallest Bar In Europe

Europe's smallest bar is situated here in Manchester. The circus tavern makes up for what it cannot give in size by providing a very engaging atmosphere.

• Check Out Manchester's Chinatown

The third largest Chinatown in the world is also a site that definitely would attract. Third behind the one in New York and the one in Liverpool, Chinatown assures you the best Chinese meals.

• Visit The Oldest Library In The World

Founded in 1653, the Chetham’s Library is the oldest Library in the world.

Liverpool Football Club

Birthed in 1892 after a dispute between the board of Everton, and Man. United Club's president. The Dispute caused Everton to move to a new stadium, the Goodison Park and United then president, John Houlding founded Liverpool to play on the Vacated Anfield grounds.

Liverpool's first match was in the 1893 division two, where they went unbeaten all season and won promotion to the top flight.

The Liverpool Culture

Liverpool has a rich and vibrant culture. An ancient city that will always impress.

• Visit The Liverpool Museum

Culturally rich as Liverpool is already known, the Liverpool Museum is on the bank of the river Mersey. Everything that needs to be known about this city can be found in this museum.

• Visit The Maritime Museum

A coastal city with a long maritime history; the Merseyside Maritime museum has in it all there is to know about the city.

• Check Out The Beatles

A story on Liverpool's culture cannot be complete without a mention of the "Fab Four".

• Enjoy The Mersey Ferry

The Mersey Ferry as the name suggests is a journey across the Mersey River. Another cultural landmark for Liverpool

The Rivalry Between These Teams

The team Liverpool Defeated to gain promotion to the top flight was Newton Heath; the game ended 2-0 in favour of Liverpool; and what would turn out to be the lifelong on pitch rivalry was birthed.

Both teams are England’s most successful teams, locally as well as internationally. They have both competed and won trophies in major and minor competitions, edging out each other by little margins.

Between them, there are a total of 38 Premier league titles, the red devils winning 20 to Liverpool's 18; 8 European Cups, the Merseyside team edging this one with 5 wins over Manchester United's 3; 4 UEFA Cups/ UEFA super cup(Liverpool has won 3, Manchester United, 1); 19 FA Cups (Manchester United 12, Liverpool 7); 13 League Cups(Liverpool 8, Manchester United 5); 1 FIFA Club World Cup (Manchester United), 1 Intercontinental Cup (Manchester United), and 36 FA Community Shields (Manchester United 21, Liverpool 15).

Manchester United, however, leads Liverpool in the total trophy count. The first trophy for The Reds came in 1901 while the Red Devils first laid their hands on a trophy in 1908.

Derby Statistics You Should Know

• These two teams have met a total of 201; Manchester United has won 80 of those, and Liverpool ending up as winners of 66 Matchups. 55 of those have ended in draws.

• Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs is the most capped player in the North West Derby with 48 total appearances.

• There are 3 players tied as top scorers in the North West Derby all with 9 goals each; Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), George Wall (Manchester United), Sandy Turnbull (Manchester United).

• On October 12, 1895, Liverpool secured the biggest win against Manchester United (New Heathen) till date with a 7-1 win.

• First meeting: 28th April 1894. Liverpool 2 – 0 Newton Heath

Since Phil Chisnall in 1964, there hasn’t been a direct transfer of players between both clubs. The players that have managed to play for both teams had at least played for one other team in-between the transfer.

Liverpool Managers

• Tom Watson is Liverpool’s longest serving manager. He managed the club for 19 years from 1896 – 1915. He won 2 Football league championships.

• Bob Paisley is the most successful Liverpool coach, winning six league titles and three European cups. He managed Liverpool from the 1974-75 till he retired in the 1982-83 season. He spent a total of 44 years with Liverpool as a player, physio and manager.

Manchester United Managers

• Sir Alex Ferguson is the most decorated manager in the history of Manchester United. He won 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 10 Community Shields, 2 UEFA Champions Leagues, 1 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup, and 1 FIFA Club World Cup.

• Matt Busby, another scot, is a notable mention. He won 5 First Division titles, 2 FA Cups, 5 Charity Shields, and 1 European Cup.

To Wrap It Up

Both these teams are recognised world wide, and individually, they have millions of dedicated fans worldwide.

The rivalry extends way beyond the players on the pitch, and the coaches on the sidelines; the fans also play a big part of keeping the rivalry fire burning.

Even with the efforts of the football association, and the clubs to curb violence by fans, the North West Derby has seen its own share of violence. But in recent years, despite fans still holding resentments towards themselves, the physical violence has reduced. However, this hasn't stopped the boo boys.

The rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United promises to offer up a top quality match up as always.