5 Of The Best North-West Derbies

Republished By Plato

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The game of the weekend takes place at Old Trafford where old rivals Manchester United and Liverpool face off in a match that could pile even more pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. United’s manager came under fire after a 4-2 loss at Leicester City last time out, while the Reds easily brushed aside Watford thanks to a Roberto Firmino hat-trick and Mo Salah’s magic. United v Liverpool usually delivers drama – here are five of the best North-West Derbies in recent history.

Manchester United 2-4 Liverpool (Premier League, May 13 2021)

Liverpool ran out 4-2 winners on their most recent trip to Old Trafford back in May, boosting their chances of qualifying for the Champions League after a disappointing title defence. The initially scheduled match had to be postponed due to protests against United’s unpopular owners but when the action finally got under way it was the hosts who took an early lead.

Nat Phillips deflected Bruno Fernandes’ shot into his own net but Liverpool turned the game around before the break with Diogo Jota levelling before Firmino made it 2-1 with a header. Poor defending from United then let Firmino in to extend Liverpool’s lead early in the second half but Jota was denied by the woodwork as the Reds tried to put the game away.

Marcus Rashford set up an exciting finale by netting his 50th goal at Old Trafford but home hopes of a late fightback were extinguished by Salah’s late strike.

Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool (FA Cup, January 24 2021)

Last season also saw a thriller between these sides in the FA Cup at Old Trafford, with a superb Fernandes free-kick proving to be the difference as United moved into the fifth round. Salah put the visitors ahead in a topsy-turvy encounter with United hitting back either side of the break through Mason Greenwood and Rashford to take a 2-1 lead.

It was level again just before the hour mark as Salah struck his second of the game, but United came up with a memorable winner. Fred and Rashford were also over the ball but there was no doubt who was going to take a set piece right on the edge of the box, Fernandes whipping a brilliant finish into the bottom corner.

Edinson Cavani almost added a late fourth for United but his header came back off the post.

Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool (Premier League, December 14 2014)

A 3-0 scoreline perhaps did not tell the full story but pressure grew on Reds boss Brendan Rodgers after this heavy defeat against their rivals. United captain Wayne Rooney put his team ahead early and it was 2-0 before the break when Juan Mata headed home, though it would have been disallowed for offside in the VAR era.

David de Gea was in magnificent form to preserve his clean sheet and United made certain of the points when Robin van Persie applied the finish to a clinical counter-attack in one of the most entertaining recent North-West Derbies.

Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool (Premier League, March 16 2014)

Just nine months earlier, Liverpool had won at Old Trafford by the same scoreline as Rodgers’ Reds put the defending Premier League champions to the sword. Steven Gerrard converted two penalties but missed a chance to complete a hat-trick from the spot, though the result was never in doubt as Liverpool moved closer to leaders Chelsea.

Nemanja Vidic was sent off to add to United’s misery and Luis Suarez got on the scoresheet to make it 3-0, leaving David Moyes’ struggling side outside of the table’s top six.

Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool (Premier League, September 19 2010)

The final entry in our list of the best recent North-West Derbies list was this early-season encounter, settled by a stunning hat-trick from Dimitar Berbatov. A clever header from a corner by the Bulgarian got United up and running and the striker then scored a magnificent second, controlling Nani’s cross and finishing with a bicycle kick.

Liverpool were given a route back into the game when Jonny Evans brought down Fernando Torres in the box and Gerrard smashed home from the spot to make it 2-1. Gerrard’s low free-kick then drew Liverpool level but United won it with six minutes to go. John O’Shea delivered a cross from the right and Berbatov rose highest to nod it home.

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