Utd Kids Wife

Undoubtedly the biggest rivalry in English football (and arguably in world football) is the one between Manchester United and Liverpool. It is a genuine rivalry based on pure unadulterated hatred despite the two teams having rivals a lot closer geographically to them (Liverpool’s closest rival is Everton while Man Utd’s ground is a few miles away from Manchester Citys).

To most supporters the rivalry stems from both clubs being the most successful in English history and the ongoing pursuit to collect trophies as a sign of one-upmanship. However, the rivalry actually precedes the formation of the two clubs and is a lot more deep rooted.

Economic Rivalry

In the early 1800′s Manchester was a rapidly expanding industrial area with numerous manufacturing and textile mills sprouting up all over the place. Much of the raw materials for these enterprises had to be imported from the USA with the ships docking in Liverpool which was 35 miles away.

The system worked fine until Liverpool decided to hike up taxes imposed on the Mancunian traders imported materials. The response from Manchester was clever and calculated. Manchester went about the construction of an artificial canal adjacent to Liverpool’s which would allow the ships to arrive directly in Manchester. As a consequence many Liverpudlian dockers lost their jobs which further stoked the fires.

Modern Day Rivalry

Nowadays the rivalry has moved from an economic one to one on the football pitch with a constant shift in power between the two rivals. During the 1950′s Man Utd were the dominant force managed by the legendary Sir Matt Busby and were the first club to win the European Cup in 1968. The following two decades were all Liverpool’s however with them winning four league titles and two European Cups in the 1970′s lead by manager Bob Paisley. In the 1980′s two more European Cups followed along with other trophies. Despite this Manchester United’s fanbase always remined strong and Liverpool found that despite their on-field achievements their more glamorous neighbours frequently stole the headlines.

The introduction of the Premier League brought along Manchester Uniteds’ current dominance over Liverpool. Before the Premier League Man Utd trailed Liverpool’s League Titles tally by 11 (Liverpool had 18 titles to Man Utd’s 7). When the legendary incoming Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson arrived in 1986 he stated his greatest challenge would be in “knocking Liverpool right off their f***ing perch!” It could be said that he has succeeded in his initial aim and more!

Under Ferguson’s leadership the team finally drew level with Liverpool’s League Title tally last season winning an incredible 11 titles over the past 17 seasons with the last three seasons yielding consecutive titles. Liverpool have now gone 19 years without winning a League Title – a fact that Mancunians love reminding Liverpudlians about while wearing their Man Utd shirts with pride! The insecurity of Liverpool supporters losing their tag as Britain’s most successful club and their lack of recent silverware has further heightened the intensity of the two clubs rivalries. This rivalry will intensify further should United win a fourth consecutive League Title this season (2009-2010) and leaping ahead of their rivals tally. You can just imagine the smug smile on Sir Alex Ferguson’s face and the new flags and chants the supporters will invariably make up to further ridicule their fiercest enemy. With many months left before the end of the season it promises to be an enthralling one this year.

For those that have never experienced a live football match it truly is an electric atmosphere and an experience not to be missed. It’s important to buy tickets through a reputable company.

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