From the ‘Spice Boys’ to the 7-0 Liverpool win in 2023, this North West Derby has given us many memorable moments throughout history.
While the 1996 FA Cup final wasn’t the most exciting game, it will forever be remembered for the matching cream Armani suits that the Liverpool players wore pre match, and Eric Cantona’s winning goal.
Whether it is for antics outside of the game or the quality of the football on display, this fixture has given us plenty of unforgettable encounters.
Here is just a few of these historic clashes over the years.
Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United – Premier League 2022/23
One of the truly memorable North-West derbies came in the 2022/23 season when Liverpool hit seven past David de Gea at Anfield in a humiliating affair for the Red Devils.
Nearing the end of a close first half, Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for Liverpool as he cut inside from the left wing and found the bottom right corner.
When the players came back out for the second half, the floodgates opened for Liverpool, with Darwin Nuñez, Mohamed Salah and Gakpo scoring two each, as well as a Roberto Firmino goal off the bench.
This game was the biggest victory in the fixture’s history, and Salah’s involvement in games like this and both a 4-0 and 5-0 win the season prior see him top of the scoring charts for Liverpool vs Manchester United games.
Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United – 1976/77 FA Cup Final
Liverpool, who had already won the First Division and were set to play Borussia Mönchengladbach in the European Cup Final days later, had major hopes of the elusive Treble.
Manchester United had different plans however, as they spoiled the party in this FA Cup final.
All the goals came within five minutes, early in the second half, as Stuart Pearson’s opener was instantly met with a Jimmy Case leveller for Liverpool.
Lou Macari’s shot rebounded in off Jimmy Greenhoff as he scored the winning goal, putting an end to Liverpool’s Treble dreams.
Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool – Premier League 2008/09
One of Liverpool’s best games at Old Trafford came in 2009, in a game that Nemanja Vidic will still have nightmares about.
Manchester United got off to a good start in the game, as Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty to put them 1-0 up.
It was only five minutes later when Fernando Torres forced Vidic into a mistake, capitalising as he slotted past Edwin Van Der Sar, and then Steven Gerrard put Liverpool ahead right before half time with a penalty.
With 15 minutes left of the game, Vidic’s disaster continued as he was sent off for a foul on Gerrard, and Fabio Aurelio took full advantage of the ensuing free kick as he made it 3-1.
Andrea Dossena rubbed salt in the wounds off the bench, chasing down a Pepe Reina goal kick and lobbing the goalkeeper in the 90th minute to make it 4-1.
Manchester United 4-3 Liverpool – FA Cup Quarter Final 2023/24
Another FA Cup classic just last year, when the two met in the quarter final at Old Trafford.
Scott McTominay opened the scoring for Manchester United, before Alexis Mac Allister and Salah struck in quick succession to make it 2-1 at half time.
Antony then scored an equaliser in the 87th minute to take it to extra time, where the drama really took hold.
Harvey Elliott hit first to put Liverpool ahead, though Marcus Rashford’s 112th minute equaliser was the ultimate set up for late drama.
Amad Diallo took full advantage of a counter attack from a Liverpool corner, scoring the winner in the 121st minute and getting himself sent off during the celebrations for taking his shirt off.
With Liverpool’s recent poor run of form, and Manchester United finding themselves in 10th, the potential is there for either side to grab a memorable victory this Sunday.
A win for United would see manager Ruben Amorim getting his first back-to-back league win at the club, and victory for Liverpool will feel like a necessity if they are to keep up with Arsenal in the title race.
