This weekend saw a Sky Sports favourite played out at Old Trafford, as Manchester United faced Liverpool in what was an exciting and incident filled game. Before the match, many including Sir Alex Ferguson had been re-iterating their belief that Man Utd vs Liverpool is still the biggest game in England, but while this has historically been true, is it still the case in the present day? Football FanCast looks at five of the contenders.

Liverpool vs Manchester United

This is the one with history on its side. The two North-West giants are the most successful teams in the English game, with 36 league titles, 18 FA Cups and 8 European Cup triumphs between them, amongst a host of other honours. Traditionally this has been the biggest game in English football, and even if one of these teams is suffering they usually up their game to the full extent for the match. Liverpool however, barring the 2008/09 season, have not really challenged for the league in the past decade, and although historically it has been the most important fixture in England, other games have probably taken it over in the influence it has on the league.

Arsenal vs Manchester United

At the end of the nineties and the early to mid 2000’s, I would argue that this fixture was the biggest game in England. Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson had one of the most infamous and bitter rivalries in English football, and their personalities dominated the league in this period. The games were similarly competitive, there were some truly memorable games and few will forget Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane vying for control of the midfield. As Arsenal have faded since the Invicibles season though, Chelsea have been United’s main rivals for the title and the fixture has lacked the bite and seriousness it had previously.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

This match has not necessarily got a great deal of history on its side, but there is no doubt that the rivalry between these clubs has become one of the most intense in English football. It was European games more than Premier League matches that made the fixture what it currently is, with a string of semi-final meetings, the famous ‘ghost goal’ and Rafael Benitez and Jose Mourinho’s battle of the minds creating intense antagonism between the clubs. Chelsea vs Liverpool might be a modern rivalry, but it is certainly right up there with with the biggest games in England.

Manchester City vs Manchester United

United and City fans have never seen eye to eye, and the Manchester derby has to be one of the biggest fixtures in English football. From the famous ‘myth’ of Denis Law relegating Manchester United in 1974, to Carlos Tevez’ exploits in the 2009/10 season, the match has seen its fair share of incident and intrigue. Whilst Man City were largely toiling for the past twenty or so years, United were the biggest team in England and the fixture lost some of its lustre. With Man City’s new found riches however, and with the club challenging at the top rather than the bottom end of the table, the fixture has been re-engerised, and the series of games between the clubs last season were some of the most exciting matches going.

Manchester United vs Chelsea

Since 2005, when Jose Mourinho guided Chelsea to their first league title in 50 years, only the Blues and Manchester United have lifted the ultimate domestic prize. Again, like Chelsea vs Liverpool, the fixture may not historically be one of England’s biggest games, but recent events have seen it become one of the country’s fiercest rivalries. It has certainly been the most influential game, with Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over United at Old Trafford last season effectively giving them the title. In terms of deciding where the title goes, this is arguably now the biggest fixture in English football.

Is there a big game thats missing? Let us know by commenting.

If you liked this article please follow me on Twitter. Subscribe to my RSS feed.