Match Rewind: Rivalries Renewed

Thursday 17 June 2021 16:43

With the footballing off-season currently serving up some international entertainment, we’re once again providing you, the fans, a chance to get your United fix too, with our returning Match Rewind series.

We’re asking you to select one of four games you want to see in full, and for free with the winning tie being streamed on both the ManUtd.com homepage and also via our Official App.

The theme this time around is ‘Rivalries Renewed’ with the chance to pick from a quartet of fixtures against some of our nearest rivals in recent times.

Before you cast what could be the decisive vote, here’s more detail about the matches in question…

BOLTON WANDERERS 0 UNITED 6 (1995/96)

Bolton Wanderers have seen some hard days in the past 10 years, with the Trotters plummeting as low as the fourth division of England’s footballing pyramid. But back in February 1996 it was Premier League football for Colin Todd’s side although on this occasion not one to remember in a hurry. David Beckham put the Reds ahead as he headed home a rebound after just five minutes and 10 minutes later, United had doubled our lead through Steve Bruce. The floodgates then well and truly opened with Andy Cole, Paul Scholes (2) and finally Nicky Butt completing the rout at Burnden Park. United ended the season on top of the pile and Premier League champions for a third time.

MANCHESTER CITY 0 UNITED 1 (2000/01)

A rivalry that simply needs no introduction. United faced neighbours Manchester City for the first time in over four years following City’s return to the top flight, the longest absence of Manchester derbies since the second world war. In what turned out to be an action-packed contest at Maine Road, Beckham’s sumptuous free kick just 90 seconds into proceedings was the only difference between the two sides. Dwight Yorke wonderfully squared the ball late in the second half for Paul Scholes only to see his effort whizz past an empty net on a day when Steve McClaren was at the helm, with Sir Alex away at his son’s wedding.

Video
Watch Beckham's brilliant free-kick at Maine Road, from the year 2000.

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 1 UNITED 2 (2020/21)

A recent European rival in their own right, Paris Saint-Germain were dealt a hammer blow 18 months prior as Marcus Rashford’s stoppage-time penalty sealed a famous victory in the French capital. Fast forward and once again the England international was on target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, as United took maximum points from our opening tie in this season’s Champions League. Bruno Fernandes’s twice-taken penalty had given the Reds the lead before Anthony Martial headed into his own net 10 minutes into the second half. But just as the points looked to be shared at the Parc des Princes, Rashford once again fired his side to victory after collecting a timely pass from midfield maestro Paul Pogba.

Highlights: PSG 1 United 2 Video

Highlights: PSG 1 United 2

In October 2020, we once again beat PSG in France, thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford...

UNITED 6 LEEDS UNITED 2 (2020/21)

And finally the rivalry deriving from the strong hostility between Lancashire and Yorkshire. Leeds United were back in the big time and were looking for a famous coup when the sides met earlier this season. An impressive United home showing soon settled the nerves as the Reds thumped Marcelo Bielsa’s men 6-2 at the Theatre of Dreams thanks to a superb start from midfielder Scott McTominay, who became the first player in history to score twice inside the first three minutes of a Premier League game. Bruno Fernandes (2), Victor Lindelof and Dan James were also on target as Ole’s men ensured the three points remained in M16, after this gloriously entertaining eight-goal thriller.

Highlights: United 6 Leeds 2 Video

Highlights: United 6 Leeds 2

The last time we played Leeds, the two sides shared eight goals between them...

HOW TO VOTE

You can select the game you wish to see featured in this week’s ‘Match Rewind’ by casting your vote in the poll in our Official App.

Voting closes at 15:00 BST on Sunday 20 June, when we’ll stream the winner in full and for free on the web and app.

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