Share

The 'Liverpool-Man United' story so far

London - Arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester United face off in the Europa League Last-16 at Anfield on Thursday in what will be the first European encounter between the English giants.

Here is how the two teams have fared in their previous meetings in other competitions.

PREMIER LEAGUE (previously First Division):

Liverpool wins: 55; Manchester United wins: 67; Draws: 44

Liverpool titles: 18; Manchester United titles: 20

Liverpool led United 18-7 in terms of league titles when Alex Ferguson took up office at Old Trafford in November 1986 and he made no secret of the fact that knocking the Merseyside club from their "perch" was a key motivating factor during his richly successful tenure. United equalled Liverpool's mark in 2009, bettered it two years later and secured a 20th league crown in 2013, which proved to be Ferguson's final campaign. Since winning the last of their league titles in 1990, Liverpool have finished second on four occasions, most recently in 2014. A curious feature of the teams' rivalry is that, apart from a brief period in the mid-to-late 1960s, their periods of success have not coincided. United were on top in the 1950s, 1990s and 2000s, while Liverpool ruled the roost in the 1970s and 1980s. Both teams are currently in transition and struggling to finish in the top four in the Premier League, meaning they may need to win the Europa League in order to qualify for next season's Champions League. United won 1-0 when the teams last met at Anfield in January, with captain Wayne Rooney smashing in a late winner.

FA CUP:

Liverpool wins: 4; Manchester United wins: 9; Draws: 4

Liverpool titles: 7; Manchester United titles: 11

United lead Liverpool 11-7 in FA Cups won and have prevailed in the two finals between the teams. In 1977, United ruined recently crowned league champions Liverpool's dreams of the Treble by winning 2-1 courtesy of goals from Stuart Pearson and Jimmy Greenhoff. Liverpool beat Borussia Moenchengladbach in the European Cup final four days later, but had to wait until 1986 for their first league and FA Cup Double. In 1996, a United team built around the famous 'Class of 92' youth team overcame Liverpool's 'Spice Boys' (so called for their alleged love of the nightlife) 1-0 thanks to an 85th-minute goal by mercurial French striker Eric Cantona. It gave United their second Double, after a previous such success in 1994, and they also completed the Treble of league, FA Cup and European Cup trophies in 1999.

LEAGUE CUP:

Liverpool wins: 3; Manchester United wins: 2; Draws: 0

Liverpool titles: 8; Manchester United titles: 4

Liverpool are the most successful team in the history of the League Cup, having won it eight times, with United successful on four occasions. They have twice met in League Cup finals -- in 1983 and 2003 -- and Liverpool emerged victorious both times. Goals from Alan Kennedy and Ronnie Whelan secured a 2-1 success in 1983, with Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen netting in a 2-0 victory 20 years later.

OTHER:

Liverpool wins: 2; Manchester United wins: 1; Draws: 3

The teams crossed swords for the first time in April 1894, with Second Division champions Liverpool beating a United team then known as Newton Heath 2-0 in a play-off match at Ewood Park to gain entry to the First Division and relegate their northwest rivals. They have met five times in the Community Shield -- contested by the reigning league champions and FA Cup holders -- with one win apiece and three draws.

OVERALL RECORD:

Liverpool wins: 64; Manchester United wins: 79; Draws: 51

Both teams can lay claim to the title of England's most successful club, but while United have surpassed Liverpool's tally of league title wins, they continue to trail 5-3 in European Cups and have won no Europa League/UEFA Cup titles to Liverpool's three.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
67% - 917 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
33% - 443 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE