Despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s dominance in England and how he catapulted Manchester United above Liverpool over the course of 26 years, the Reds of Merseyside are now back as the undisputed most successful club in England.
Liverpool’s 5-1 win at home to Spurs yesterday clinched the club’s 20th title in style, dethroning Manchester United as the most successful club in England, even though both clubs now share the same number of Premier League titles.
When Sir Alex Ferguson took over at Manchester United in 1986, the Mancunians had just seven league titles, far behind Liverpool’s 16 at the time. However, United’s dominance from 1986 to 2013 added 13 league titles to their collection, while Liverpool managed only four during that period.
With both clubs now tied at 20 English league titles each, Liverpool hold the edge in other competitions. The Merseyside giants have won more Champions League titles than Manchester United and now boast more major trophies overall (52) compared to Manchester United (47).
Great Pain In Manchester
Manchester United legend Gary Neville admitted painfully that while his club has regressed, Liverpool have re-emerged and now stand undoubtedly as the biggest club in England once again:
“It’s a massive deal. When you think of the league title and the importance of the league title, you think of the great managers that Liverpool have had in Shankly and Paisley, Kenny Dalglish, Joe Fagan, and at United as well, talking about the importance of your bread and butter being the league title.
“It should cause real tremors over at Old Trafford, the idea that Liverpool, which is obviously a great football club and now the most successful club and will be after today, in English football, that really should cause heartache and pain. It took a lot to get ahead of Liverpool, they were miles ahead when Sir Alex Ferguson took over.”
Considering Manchester United’s current trajectory, it is difficult to predict when they will challenge for the Premier League title again.
However, change remains the most constant thing in football. While Liverpool might have stolen the march and leapfrogged Manchester United to the top once again, the tables could turn soon, especially if United refocus on the quality and commitment that made them the best club in England, rather than the big overpaid signings and flashiness that have robbed them of success since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
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