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In advance of Manchester United’s fixture with Liverpool last weekend, United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson elevated the status of the game above that of any other club match around the world, including ‘El Classico’ pitting Barcelona against Real Madrid.
The timing of this was interesting, not least because Liverpool returned with the three points from their local rivals, Everton, while Manchester United face off against their ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City this coming weekend.
So how do the rivalries compare and how do United stand following this latest result?
Ferguson tried to suggest that the fixture between Spain’s two finest teams lacks the intensity due to the distance between the two cities and the apparent unwillingness of the fans to travel to away games with the same commitment as the fans in the UK.
However, what this ignores is the political history that drives the animosity between the Spanish giants. I personally believe it is this that sets apart El Classico from any match involving Manchester United, although Ferguson did also refer to the fixtures between Glasgow Rangers and Celtic as one tie that comes close.
The conflict between the two Spanish giants dates back to the 1930s when the fascist dictator, General Franco, arrested and executed the president of Barcelona Josep Sunyol and specifically targeted the football club alongside communists and anarchists.
During the Franco dictatorship most citizens of Barcelona were in strong opposition to the regime and saw the football club as a symbol of Catalan pride and identity. Indeed during this period Barcelona adopted their motto, Mesqueun Club – more than a club.
During the civil war the links between Real Madrid and the fascist regime were undeniable with the club profiting at management level from the ties.
Controversial transfers always help to stoke bitterness between opposing supporters. In recent times there can be nothing in England to compare with the reaction from Barcelona fans who, on seeing their former vice-captain, Luis Figo, return to the field with Real Madrid, threw a pig’s head at him.
However, there can be nothing that compares with the feeling of regret, following confusion, over the transfer in the 1950s of Alfredo Di Stefano. When he transferred from Argentinian side Millonarios, there was such confusion that both Spanish clubs claimed to hold his registration. A compromise was struck with FIFA whereby Di Stefano would play for both clubs in alternate seasons. After only a few games Barcelona agreed to relinquish their hold over a player who helped Real claim more European trophies than any club in history.
Ultimately, it therefore depends on how you judge the contests. Many of the rivalries stem from competitive matches spanning generations and trophy counts being similar. In this regard United recently edged past Liverpool’s record of 19 national titles to claim bragging rights, although the Koppites will point to their greater success in Europe.
However, not to be outdone, Real Madrid hold 75 trophies compared to Barcelona’s 76, although it is Real who hold the historic advantage at European level.
Using similar analysis, there is no doubt, therefore, that in recent times Manchester United have seen Liverpool as their more bitter rivals than the team representing the City of Manchester (as they claim)! However, this stems from a lack of competitiveness from the blue half of Manchester.
This ties in with a recent article in the specialist football magazine, Four Four Two, in which they featured the rivalry, or rather lack of, between the two Nottingham-based teams, Forest and County. In fact, they deemed this the ‘friendliest derby in the world’. Perhaps a closer level of competitiveness would see this change and the same is no doubt happening now in Manchester.
With the Abu Dhabi millions being spent and City now heading the league, the fixture this weekend will be explosive on the pitch. Over the coming years expect City to overtake Liverpool in United’s list of ‘must-win’ fixtures. However, even then, the rivalry will come nowhere close to matching El Clasico!
