United v Reds the English El Clasico?

The contests between United and Liverpool often serve to show why it is their rivalry that remains the most enduring in English football. Photo: Chris Trotman

The contests between United and Liverpool often serve to show why it is their rivalry that remains the most enduring in English football. Photo: Chris Trotman

Published Dec 14, 2014

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London - Jamie Redknapp and Martin Keown discuss whether Man United v Liverpool is the English El Clasico.

Jamie Redknapp

Growing up, this was always a fixture you wanted to play in. It’s a proper game. Along with Celtic v Rangers, it’s probably the fiercest atmosphere in Britain. There is no love lost between the players, let alone the fans. You can feel the anger and the hatred but what an atmosphere that makes. I’ve played, scored and won and lost in these games, so I know just what they mean.

Probably the most iconic fixture I played in was the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in 1995. It was Eric Cantona’s first game back after his ban for that karate kick and fate was on his side that day.

Within seconds he set up United’s first but then Robbie Fowler destroyed them. He lashed the first in with his left and I’ll never forget seeing him brush Gary Neville aside to chip in his second. But then it all went Cantona’s way.

I conceded a penalty for bringing down Ryan Giggs - though I still think it was never a penalty! Of course it was Cantona who stepped up to take it and score. At the time it was devastating, but looking back it must have been a dream for the neutral. There were mixed emotions because I’d given the penalty away but we put in a very good performance and probably deserved to win it. It was a fantastic battle.

Martin Keown

With all due respect, I think Arsenal v Manchester United has a pretty good claim to be the English El Clasico! But this fixture has always been huge because of the size of the clubs and their close proximity.

They have always tried to emulate each other’s achievements and then outdo them. It swings between the two, with United dominant in recent history. But in a strange way when one side dominates, the other seems to be able to get some good results.

As a kid, I loved watching United win the 1977 FA Cup final. They beat Liverpool 2-1 and prevented that great side from doing the Treble, something United would go on to achieve themselves 22 years later.

That always stuck in the memory and, more recently, the sight of defenders trailing in Fernando Torres’ wake at Old Trafford when Liverpool won 4-1 in 2009 was something special. That was a fantastic result but, of course, United had the last laugh by beating them to the title that season.

Daily Mail

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