sport news 's deep rivalry with Liverpool is far more toxic than the ...

Manchester United's deep rivalry with Liverpool is far more toxic than the competitiveness with local rivals City… the old enemy back on their 'f****** perch' would be too much to bear Manchester United host Manchester City in the Premier League on Wednesday  The outcome of this Old Trafford match will have a direct impact on the title race  A win for City will see them top, but anything else will see Liverpool remain first 

By Ian Herbert For Mailonline

Published: 11:43 BST, 24 April 2019 | Updated: 12:19 BST, 24 April 2019

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There's plenty of history to remind us that the clash of Manchester's blue and red halves is no picnic. Roy Keane embedding his studs in Alf-Inge Haaland's kneecap in 2001. That 'Welcome to Manchester' poster which the blue side used to parade the fact that Carlos Tevez had left Old Trafford for them, eight years later. It's hard to encapsulate how infuriated Sir Alex Ferguson was about that art work, though he did not want to give City the satisfaction so never gave full vent to his sentiments.

But while one United supporter declared on Tuesday that being asked whether she would rather City or Liverpool win the Premier League was akin to 'asking do you want death by hanging or the electric chair' the majority would still rather City take it. That's a measure of how much more visceral the enmity between Old Trafford and Anfield is.

Manchester's rivalries have grown in the decade since Abu Dhabi investment has seen City become a more modern, enlightened and successful club than United, yet there was never the kind of hate felt for Liverpool.

Manchester United and Manchester City are set to clash at Old Trafford on Wednesday night

Manchester United and Manchester City are set to clash at Old Trafford on Wednesday night

Roy Keane (left) left Alf-Inge Haaland in an absolute heap following an awful tackle in 2001

Roy Keane (left) left Alf-Inge Haaland in an absolute heap following an awful tackle in 2001

City's 'Welcome to Manchester' poster following Carlos Tevez's arrival in 2009 riled United

City's 'Welcome to Manchester' poster following Carlos Tevez's arrival in 2009 riled United

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The fraternal roots go deep, to the three-and-a-half years after the Second World War when City's Maine Road was also United's home ground - Old Trafford having been bombed. For their part, City had made donations in 1902 when Newton Heath - precursor to United - were in trouble. The two clubs' directors were always close.

When United won their first FA Cup in 1909 a City director, Albert Alexander, led the homecoming parade. City offered financial help in the early 1930s when United were so much on their uppers that crowd of 3,507 saw them play Southampton. In

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