2. Liverpool v Manchester United
Unlike the other club footballing rivalries I have covered, the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United is not territorially based and the hatred between the two has stemmed from success. These two clubs are the most successful in the English game having won 120 trophies between them - Manchester with 61 and Liverpool with 59 - and have competed with each other off the pitch as both teams are amongst the biggest earners and well-supported football clubs in the world. It is natural that one team nicknamed "The Reds" and another nicknamed "The Red Devils" would ultimately become a rivalry, but it is the size of the trophy cabinet that all concerned at these two great clubs worry about. Although not based in the same city, Liverpool and Manchester are separated by a mere 30 miles and it can be said that the football rivalry was a manifestation of one that already existed as both cities have historically competed for supremacy in the North West of England. During the 1970's and 80's Liverpool Football Club dominated English and world football. It was the most sustained period of success for the Merseyside club and all this while Manchester United were languishing in the second tier of English football. Enter Sir Alex Ferguson. The signing of the Scotsman as manager in 1986 saw the emergence of a footballing force only rivalled by Liverpool in the previous era. When the Premier League was established in the early nineties Liverpool had won 18 domestic league titles; United had only the seven. Ferguson's number one priority was for Manchester United to become the most successful of all English club and, unfortunately for Liverpool fans, he accomplished this in quick time. As the Manchester United brand grew so did their level of success and their stranglehold on English football was never before seen. United have won 13 Premier League titles taking their domestic tally of league titles to 20 .., while Liverpool are still lamenting on 18. All players who represent both of these clubs today are all aware of the history of the rivalry. United striker Wayne Rooney grew up an Evertonian and has often spoke of his hatred for Liverpool and Steven Gerrard has openly admitted that he will never mount a Manchester strip on his walls at home despite having a substantial collection from his years in the game. Recent events have also added fuel to this great footballing rivalry. Luis Suarez received an 8-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United captain Patrice Evra in a 2011/12 fixture. When the two teams met the Uruguayan (having felt aggrieved over the situation) refused to shake Evra's hand in the pre-game leading to a backlash from Ferguson as he referred to Suarez as "a disgrace" and that "he shouldn't be allowed to wear a Liverpool strip again". A little extreme yes, but it has been incidents like this over the years that have led to this footballing rivalry being amongst the biggest and brutal in the world.