‘I watched Man Utd team-mates dance after Liverpool thrashing - I knew we’d lost control’

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The next chapter of Manchester United ’s rivalry with Liverpool takes place this weekend. The two teams meet at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon in what promises to be an intriguing encounter.

Ahead of the match, United sit in third place in the Premier League table, with Liverpool one position and three points behind. While both look set to qualify for Champions League football next season, there is more on the line than points in this game.

The rivalry between the two sides means bragging rights go to whoever comes out victorious. In the 207 meetings so far, United have won 81 and Liverpool 67, while there have been 59 draws.

In March 2014, it was Brendan Rodgers ’ Liverpool who emerged as 3-0 winners over David Moyes ’ United. Goals from Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez sealed the win.

The game was part of a disappointing stint at Old Trafford for Moyes, who was ultimately sacked just over five weeks later. The manager was tasked with taking over from the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson in the dugout.

That transition didn’t go as planned, and it’s an incident in the days after the defeat to Liverpool that Wayne Rooney believes sums up the period.

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Speaking on the Overlap’s Stick to Football, brought to you by SkyBet in 2024, Wayne Rooney recalled that turbulent time. “Firstly, we were losing the core of the team really,” he said.

“Giggsy (Ryan Giggs), Rio (Ferdinand), (Nemanja) Vidic, they were all on their last legs basically. We were losing that presence in the dressing room.

“There was literally me and Michael Carrick left still playing from that generation. Then you’re getting the likes of Jesse Lingard coming through, and (Danny) Welbeck, (Tom) Cleverley. They’ve had good careers but it was never the same.

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“ Football was changing. The behaviour of players, of course we’d misbehave or go out do whatever, but I think everything was changing around football and I think that was a big time.

“I always remember coming in after the Liverpool game when we got beat (at Old Trafford in 2014 under Moyes). Lads were coming in, dancing around the dressing room the next day, hip hop music on.

“I remember taking the music out. You can try to control as much as possible, but in the end you can’t really.”

When Gary Neville asked if that incident was the viral one of Paul Pogba posted by Jesse Lingard on social media, Rooney said: “That was another one after that! You look at it and you just think it’s… (shrugs)”

Since the sacking of Moyes, United have had several different managers, either on a permanent or interim basis. Michael Carrick is currently in the hot seat, having taken over from Ruben Amorim back in January.

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