Manchester United are poised to take on arch-rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford in a decider that could decide the Red Devils’ future this season, after a disastrous start with two resounding defeats in the first two rounds of the English Premier League.
Looking at this match, historic and classic matches between the two teams are brought to mind, and United fans fear that the team will suffer a heavy defeat at the hands of Mohamed Salah and his comrades on Monday night, which has happened on a number of occasions in the past, most recently in the last season of 2021 -2022
We return to the famous match between United and Liverpool in the 2008-2009 season at Old Trafford, which ended in a 4-1 victory for the guests, on March 14, 2009.
The circumstances of that match were very different from today, as Manchester United were looking for a win to maintain their lead and Liverpool were looking to close the gap and challenge for the league title.
The match got off to a strong start between the two teams, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson having the first word after Cristiano Ronaldo put his team ahead with a 23rd-minute penalty kick.
But the joy of the owners of the land and the public did not last long, and soon the Spanish striker Fernando Torres took advantage of the fatal mistake of the defender Nemanja Vidic and equalized the score in the 28th minute.
With a minute left in the half, Reds captain Steven Gerrard managed to take Liverpool to the penalty mark amid the amazement of United fans and the silence of Old Trafford.
In the second half, manager Rafa Benítez’s men continued to shine, and United’s problems finding modifications intensified after Vidić was sent off with a direct red card in the 76th minute.
A minute later, Brazilian defender Fabio Aurelio almost ended the match, scoring his team’s third goal from a free kick, depriving United of hopes for a comeback.
In the last minute of the match, Italy’s Daniele Dossina hammered the final nail in United’s coffin with the fourth goal to announce Liverpool’s historic victory on the soil of their traditional rivals.
But the Reds’ joy did not return at the end of the season, after United, led by their legendary manager, managed to win the Premier League title again, and Liverpool continued to fast from the podium for many years after that.
Source: El Iktisad