17 March 2024 marks the latest instalment in one of the most historic rivalries in the British game, as Eric ten Haag and Manchester United welcome high-flying Liverpool to Old Trafford.
The quadruple remains a possibility for the Reds in Jurgen Klopp’s final season in charge, but will that dream end in Manchester? The world will be watching in order to find out, with punters flocking to the best new Bettingsites to back their judgement ahead of this titanic tussle.
Harking back to the Newton Heath days, Manchester United and Liverpool have clashed 14 times in the FA Cup, and United have dominated, with ten wins (some coming after a replay) to just four for Liverpool. The pick of those results were the FA Cup Final victories of 1977 and 1996, but here, we look back at the four showdowns from the current century.
18 February 2006: Anfield, Fifth Round – Liverpool 1 – 0 Manchester United
Things began ominously for United when Rio Ferdinand failed a late fitness test, and they didn’t get much better from there.
Edwin van der Saar produced a stunning save to deny Harry Kewell on 18 minutes. However, the respite was brief, with Peter Crouch getting on the end of a Steven Finnan cross from the resultant corner to just about head home via van der Saar and the post.
With little response from United, that was all it took to take the home side through. Alex Ferguson summed up the feelings of all United fans when stating in the aftermath, “It has been 85 years since Liverpool beat us in the FA Cup, and I was hoping it would be another 85 years, then I wouldn’t be around to see it”
9 January 2011: Old Trafford, Third Round – Manchester United 1 – 0 Liverpool
Five years on, United had their revenge with a narrow victory in the third round. Always a huge encounter, the return of Kenny Dalglish in the Liverpool dugout added a little spice to proceedings. For the Anfield legend, this was an afternoon to forget.
United took the lead in just the second minute – Howard Webb pointing to the spot after Daniel Agger sent Dimitar Berbatov tumbling in the area, and Ryan Giggs stepped up to fire home into the corner.
Any hopes Liverpool had of launching a comeback were effectively ended in the 32nd minute when Steven Gerrard’s rash lunge on Michael Carrick was punished with a straight red card – much to the delight of the majority in attendance.
Further chances came and went for Javier Hernandez and Giggs, but one goal was enough.
28 January 2012: Anfield, Fourth Round – Liverpool 2 – 1 Manchester United
Paired together again just one year later, Liverpool held home advantage this time. In a surprisingly sterile game, United came back from a goal down and were on the brink of earning a replay – only to suffer late heartbreak at the hands of Dirk Kuyt.
The Red Devils more than held their own in the opening exchanges, creating the best of the early chances, but fell behind to a Daniel Agger header, having failed to deal with a corner.
Undeterred, the visitors remained on the front foot and were rewarded six minutes before the break – Ji-Sung Park firing a fine 12-yard finish into the bottom right corner.
Then, as time ebbed away, substitute Kuyt latched onto an Andy Carroll flick-on to lash past David de Gea at his near post and lift the roof of Anfield.
24 January 2021: Old Trafford, Fourth Round – Manchester United 3 – 2 Liverpool
If the 2024 fixture is anything like the most recent FA Cup clash between the sides, we are all in for a treat, and at least this time, there will be fans there to see it.
Played during the Covid impacted season, Mo Salah handed Liverpool the lead with a clipped finish in the 18th minute. United were level eight minutes later, following smart control and a fine finish from Mason Greenwood. 1-1 at the break.
Three minutes into the second half, Marcus Rashford beat the offside trap to scorch clear down the right and fire home into the bottom right.
Back came Liverpool, and back came Salah – the Egyptian levelling matters with a routine finish just before the hour mark.
This time, United would have the last laugh – Bruno Fernandes expertly firing a 78th-minute 18-yard free kick into the bottom corner. United through, 3-2.
Two 21st Century FA Cup duels with Liverpool at Old Trafford and two United wins. Can they make it three?
