The north west rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool is one of the most intense in the Premier League.
Here are 10 things you need to know about the teams ahead of Sunday's meeting at Old Trafford.
1. Sir Alex Ferguson's league record against Liverpool since taking charge of Manchester United in November 1986 is W14, D12, L22. (Infostrada Sports)
2. When Ferguson arrived at United, he said he wanted to knock Liverpool "off their perch". From 1976-86 Liverpool won the league title eight times, but have only won it twice since, in 1998 and 1990.
3. United have won 11 titles since 1993, meaning both sides now have 18 championships - the joint-most of any English clubs.
4. A source of frustration to Ferguson has been Liverpool's success in Europe. They have been continental champions five times, while United have achieved this on three occasions, including twice under Ferguson.
5. Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has lost his last four league visits to Old Trafford, conceding at least three goals in each match. (Inforstrada Sports)
The games between Manchester United and Liverpool are usually feisty affairs (Mike Eagerton / EMPICS)
6. No Liverpool manager has ever won his first Premier League meeting against United. Graeme Souness and Gerard Houllier both drew while Roy Evans and Rafael Benitez lost. (Inforstrada Sports)
7. Earlier this year, Forbes magazine said United were the most valuable football club in the world (excluding debt), giving them a worth of US$1.84bn. Liverpool were sixth on that list, valued at $822m.
8. Obviously, excluding debt is not something either club can do at the moment. United owe over £700 (Dh4bn) after the Glazer family's leveraged purchase of the club in 2005, while Liverpool are over £350m in debt as co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillet look for a buyer.
9. The last player to be directly transferred between the clubs was Phil Chisnall, who joined Liverpool from United for £25,000 in 1964. Current United striker Michael Owen started his career at Liverpool, but played for Real Madrid and Newcastle before moving to Old Trafford last summer.
10. Of their last 10 meetings at Old Trafford, United have won six and Liverpool four, so don't expect draw.
Manchester United v Liverpool:
>Sunday, September 19
>4.30pm kick-off
>Abu Dhabi Sports HD 3 & 5 and www.admcsport.com
Leave a comment