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Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Five memorable matches

Sports Mole looks back over five of the most memorable encounters between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Despite the fact that 21 points separate leaders Manchester United and eighth-placed Liverpool, this clash is still one of the most eagerly-anticipated encounters in the Premier League calendar.

While it is not what you would call a local derby, these two clubs share a rivalry based upon trophies and success.

With the two sides due to meet tomorrow afternoon, Sports Mole looks back over five of the most memorable encounters from the Premier League era at Old Trafford.

Man United 2-2 Liverpool - October 18, 1992

With Kenny Dalglish now departed, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson came up against Graeme Souness during the Premier League's debut season.

It appeared that Souness was going to claim the bragging rights over his fellow Scot as goals from Don Hutchinson and Ian Rush handed Liverpool a 2-0 lead heading into half-time.

Even when Mark Hughes lifted the ball over Bruce Grobbelaar with 12 minutes left, the Welshman's effort seemed to be no more than a mere consolation.

Deep into stoppage time though Hughes stooped to meet a cross from Ryan Giggs and he managed to guide the ball beyond the reach Grobbelaar. He then wheeled off to celebrate in front of an empty Stretford End, which was in the process of being rebuilt.

Man United 2-2 Liverpool - October 1, 1995

This is a match that will be etched into the memories of most Man United supporters as it saw the return of Eric Cantona, who had spent the previous eight months suspended for producing the infamous kung-fu kick towards a Crystal Palace fan.

In true Cantona style he set up the opening goal of the match for Nicky Butt, but goals either side of the break from Robbie Fowler looked to have sealed the points for the Merseysiders.

However, with 20 minutes remaining Cantona ensured a share of the spoils for United when he rolled home a penalty after Giggs had been brought down by Jamie Redknapp.

Man United 2-1 Liverpool - January 24, 1999

Granted this was not a league fixture, but this FA Cup tie produced one of the most memorable endings to a clash between these two great rivals.

Michael Owen, who later went on to play for United, headed Liverpool in front with just over two minutes on the clock.

The home team then proceeded to lay siege to the Liverpool goal, but an inspired David James between the posts appeared to have booked the away team's place in round five of the competition.

United, as so often during that season, were not done though and with two minutes left Dwight Yorke turned the ball into the net following a header across goal from strike partner Andy Cole.

Then, just as Liverpool were getting their head around the fact that they would be playing a replay at Anfield, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came off the bench to beat a wrong-footed James three minutes into stoppage time.

Man United 1-4 Liverpool - March 14, 2009

Heading into this one, Liverpool knew that a defeat would all but end their chances of winning a 19th league title.

What followed was an inspired performance from Rafael Benitez's side and arguably one of the best displays during the Spaniard's era on Merseyside.

All appeared to be going well for the Red Devils when Cristiano Ronaldo put them in front from the penalty spot after Pepe Reina had fouled Park Ji-Sung inside the area.

It would be Liverpool that took the lead going into half-time though thanks to Fernando Torres and a penalty from Steven Gerrard.

Any hope United had of getting back into encounter evaporated ended when Nemanja Vidic was handed his marching orders for hauling down Torres and Fabio Aurelio curled in the resultant free kick.

To rub further salt in the United wound, Andrea Dossena lobbed in a fourth for Liverpool deep into stoppage time.

Man United 2-1 Liverpool - February 11, 2012

There will not be many football fans that forget the main talking point of this encounter.

During the pre-match handshakes, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez refused to shake hands with Man United's Patrice Evra. Those two had previous after Suarez had been banned for eight matches for racially abusing the French defender.

On the pitch Wayne Rooney scored twice shortly after the restart to put United in command.

Suarez found the back of the net late in the encounter, but United held out to claim the bragging rights.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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