Liverpool
The rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool is one of the most intense in English football, rooted in both regional pride and footballing success. It dates back to the late 19th century when the two cities were competing in trade and industry. The football rivalry began to take shape in the early 20th century, with both clubs striving for dominance in English football. The rivalry intensified in the 1970s and 1980s when Liverpool dominated English football, winning multiple league titles and European Cups while United failed to make big during that time. Manchester United, under Sir Alex Ferguson, turned the tide in the 1990s and 2000s, securing numerous Premier League titles and Champions League trophies. Manchester United currently leads Liverpool by a title more in the league standings where they astonishingly achieved 13 Premier League titles compared to Liverpool’s only one.
A few of the most famous matches include United's 2-1 FA Cup final victory in 1996, which saw Eric Cantona score a late winner, and a famous Liverpool's 4-1 win at Old Trafford in 2009. Players like Paul Ince, and Michael Owen, have played for both clubs, adding a personal edge to the rivalry.
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Manchester City
The Manchester Derby is one of the most famous derbies in English football, with roots in the early 20th century. United's dominance in English football overshadowed City for decades, but the rivalry intensified in the late 2000s when City's new ownership began investing heavily in the squad. This transformed City into a title contender, leading to many memorable encounters. Termed the ‘Noisy Neighbours’ by Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester City has pipped United in recent history with back to back titles and European success
One of the most iconic games was in 2012 when City beat United 6-1 at Old Trafford, a result that played a crucial role in City securing their first Premier League title that season. The 2018 derby, where City had the chance to win the title against United but lost 3-2 despite leading 2-0 at halftime, is another unforgettable match. Carlos Tevez is a notable player who switched allegiances, moving from United to City in 2009, much to the ire of United fans. Peter Schmeichel has also represented Manchester City after years of success at Manchester United.
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Leeds United
The rivalry with Leeds United, often referred to as the "Roses Derby," is historically rooted in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars for control of the throne of England. The football rivalry began in the 1960s, with both clubs vying for dominance. Leeds, under Don Revie, and United, under Matt Busby, were both successful during this period, adding fuel to the fire.
Memorable matches include the 1970 FA Cup semi-final, where United defeated Leeds after a replay and the 1992 league match that saw Leeds win 1-0 at Old Trafford, a result that helped them clinch the First Division title. Eric Cantona is a famous player who has worn both clubs' shirts, making a high-profile move to United in 1992, where he became a legend. While Rio Ferdinand was another high profile name to play for both the fierce clubs.
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