I was speaking a few days ago to SirAF (not the actual one, that would be daft) and we agreed that United fans, ‘supporting ’ Liverpool ahead of City, is just weird.
I would much rather United fans ‘cheer’ City in this one. I would rather City beat United if the situation were reversed and that should be taken as a compliment.
Let me be clear, I cannot stand Man United, but as a club, I utterly respect them in a way that I simply cannot do with Manchester City.
United and Liverpool have a fantastic rivalry, born out of decades of fighting for supremacy, and cheering on anyone BUT the opposition, seems anathema to that wonderful struggle.
On the rivalry, I think it began a lot later though, than many appear to believe. It doesn’t really have anything to do with the Manchester ship canal, or the traditional ‘friendly’ rivalry between two North Western industrial cities.
It only, really sparked into life, from my memory (although I’m a Historian by trade and qualification, I am only basing this on memory) during the days of Ron Atkinson, when United were re-emerging as a power. In fact, I believe that many of the victorious United ‘77 cup final side, personally wished Liverpool well in their impending first European Cup final a week later.
It’s not completely relevant to the discussion but I always find it interesting, when the footballing rivalry becomes a little bit misrepresented, as it is intense enough not to warrant any embellishment.
Ps- I always think that Ron Atkinson gets a little hard done by as a United manager, as does his side. They were a pretty formidable outfit for a few seasons.