77 was my first real recollection of any United v Liverpool games, and hey what a way to start! 2-1 at Wembley, 12 months afte the despair of getting beat by Southampton, plus stopping them doing what would have been the Treble.
I was only 8 or so for the 79 semi, though I can recall nearly tearing the house down when Greenough scored the winner in the replay, which meant that I demanded, to stay up and watch the match on Sportsnight.
Then we turned into the early 80's and that brings to mind, Norman Whiteside, scouse buster. Norman always brought his A game out week in week out or so it seemed, but for games against Liverpool it was his STAR game he played. He ran faster, passed better, kicked them harder and seemed to be involved in all our goals some how. The 83 Milk Cup final was my first trip to Wembley and though they won, we were beaten by them getting all the luck, much the same as people claim we get it today.
The 85 semi's were crazy..... Missed the first one, got to Maine Road, and all that can be said about that game has been said. I don't know, beating them in a semi seems sweeter than beating them in a final, even having seen us do that, to beat them in a semi is still extra special.
89 was Beardsmore finest hour, it was the start of the false dawn for the first batch of Fledgings, but who cares that game against what some say was Liverpool's greatest lingers in my memory.
I try to forget about 92, it's only when it's mentioned in here that I recall the pain and emotions that brought. I almost wish we could ban talk of it, it's so painful even now. The 1-4 hurt last season, but 92 was just........... I don't want to reopen the wounds.
96 and the cup final against the white suited, self proclaimed spice boys. Oh the joy of Eric's comeback being completed, As with 77, we'd returned to Wembley following a cup final loss the previous season and won the cup. A dire game, brought to life by the late winner.
Since then, we've had another League cup final loss to contend with and some great results and some shocking results, but for the main part we've been winning things, and whilst it's never any good to lose to Liverpool, even the 1-4 last year has been tempered by the fact we won the league. Yes, Rio and O'Shea have scored last minute winners at home and away, and they bring joy and bragging rights galore, but a little bit of the magic that was a United v Liverpool game has been lost since we've become the more successful. However, long may that remain cause a win against those _______ from down the East Lancs is still sweeter than beating 99% of other teams.
