Manchester United and Liverpool are two of the most successful football clubs in English football history. Both clubs have huge global fanbases and a long-standing rivalry. When it comes to trophies won, which club comes out on top?
Summary
In total, Manchester United have won 66 major trophies compared to Liverpool’s 64. United have won 20 league titles, 12 FA Cups, 5 League Cups, 21 Community Shields, 3 UEFA Champions Leagues, 1 UEFA Europa League, 1 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, 1 UEFA Super Cup and 2 FIFA Club World Cups. Liverpool have won 19 league titles, 7 FA Cups, 8 League Cups, 15 Community Shields, 6 UEFA Champions Leagues, 3 UEFA Europa Leagues, 4 UEFA Super Cups and 2 FIFA Club World Cups.
Therefore, Manchester United edge ahead of Liverpool with a couple more trophies to their name. However, it should be noted that Liverpool have won more continental trophies, with 6 Champions Leagues compared to United’s 3. Both clubs have had periods of domestic and European dominance throughout their history.
Total Trophies
| Competition | Man Utd Titles | Liverpool Titles |
|---|---|---|
| League Titles | 20 | 19 |
| FA Cup | 12 | 7 |
| League Cup | 5 | 8 |
| Community Shield | 21 | 15 |
| Champions League | 3 | 6 |
| Europa League | 1 | 3 |
| Cup Winners’ Cup | 1 | 0 |
| Super Cup | 1 | 4 |
| Club World Cup | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 66 | 64 |
As shown in the table above, Manchester United have won 66 major trophies compared to 64 for Liverpool. United just edge ahead with more Community Shields and League Cups.
Domestic Success
In the domestic competitions, Manchester United have had slightly more success than Liverpool in the Premier League/First Division and the FA Cup.
United have won 20 league titles to Liverpool’s 19. Their first came in 1908, while their most recent was in 2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson. Other notable title wins include 1993, 1999 and 2007-09, when they won 3 in a row.
In the FA Cup, United have won 12 to Liverpool’s 7. Their wins came in 1909, 1948, 1963, 1977, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004 and 2016.
However, Liverpool have been more successful in the League Cup, winning 8 compared to 5 for United. Liverpool’s first 4 titles came consecutively from 1981 to 1984.
In the Community Shield, contested at the beginning of each season between the league champions and the FA Cup winners, United have 21 wins to Liverpool’s 15. United won 6 in a row from 2007 to 2012.
Therefore, overall in domestic competition, Manchester United have won 58 major trophies while Liverpool have won 50.
League Titles
Manchester United – 20
Liverpool – 19
FA Cup
Manchester United – 12
Liverpool – 7
League Cup
Manchester United – 5
Liverpool – 8
Community Shield
Manchester United – 21
Liverpool – 15
European Success
In European competition, Liverpool have historically been more successful than Manchester United.
Liverpool have won the European Cup/Champions League 6 times to United’s 3. Liverpool’s first came in 1977, followed by 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005 and 2019. United’s wins came in 1968, 1999 and 2008.
In the Europa League, Liverpool have 3 wins compared to 1 for United. Liverpool won in 1973, 1976 and 2001 while United’s solitary success came in 2017.
United’s only other European trophy is the Cup Winners’ Cup which they won in 1991. Liverpool have never won this competition.
In the UEFA Super Cup between the Champions League and Europa League winners, Liverpool have 4 wins to United’s 1. And both clubs have won the FIFA Club World Cup twice.
So in total European competition, Liverpool have won 16 major trophies while United have won 8.
Champions League
Manchester United – 3
Liverpool – 6
Europa League
Manchester United – 1
Liverpool – 3
Super Cup
Manchester United – 1
Liverpool – 4
Club World Cup
Manchester United – 2
Liverpool – 2
Major Trophy Droughts
Both clubs have had extended droughts without winning major trophies at certain points in their history.
Liverpool went without a league title between 1991 and 2020, an incredible 30 year wait ended when they finally won the Premier League under Jurgen Klopp. They also went without a Champions League trophy between 1985 and 2005.
Manchester United are currently experiencing a lengthy drought for them, without a Premier League title since 2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson. Prior to that, their longest drought was between 1967 and 1993.
United also went 31 years without a Champions League title between 1969 and 1999, their 1999 win being one of the most dramatic comebacks ever as they scored twice in injury time to beat Bayern Munich 2-1.
Seasons Leading the League
As well as trophies won, Manchester United have finished top of the English football league system more times than Liverpool.
United have finished first on 20 occasions to Liverpool’s 18. Although Liverpool have more league titles due to the format in the early years when there was no automatic promotion.
| Seasons Top of League | Man Utd | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|
| First Division | 7 | 18 |
| Premier League | 13 | 0 |
| Total | 20 | 18 |
Liverpool dominated the First Division in the 1970s and 80s, finishing top on 18 occasions, although they only won 11 league titles. Since the new Premier League began in 1992, United have finished top 13 times and won 12 of those. Liverpool are yet to finish top of the Premier League.
Years Top of the League
Here is the full list of seasons where each club finished top of the English league:
Manchester United
1907–08, 1910–11, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
Liverpool
1900–01, 1905–06, 1921–22, 1922–23, 1946–47, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90
Head-to-Head Results
Manchester United and Liverpool have faced each other 203 times in all competitions throughout their history.
United have the slight edge in the head-to-head record, with 80 wins compared to 67 for Liverpool, while 56 games have been drawn.
At Old Trafford, United have 45 wins to Liverpool’s 27, with 31 draws. At Anfield, Liverpool have the superior record with 37 wins to United’s 17, while 25 games have been even.
The biggest wins include United’s 7-1 victory in 1893 and Liverpool’s 5-0 win in 2014.
Therefore, in addition to marginally more trophies, United also have a better overall record against their rivals Liverpool.
Conclusion
Manchester United have won 66 major trophies compared to Liverpool’s 64, giving them a slight edge historically.
United have been more successful domestically, winning more league titles, FA Cups and Community Shields. Liverpool meanwhile have been the more dominant force in Europe, winning twice as many Champions Leagues and Europa Leagues.
Both clubs have risen to become global powerhouses despite going through title droughts at times. While Liverpool had the upper hand in the 70s and 80s, the 90s and 2000s were dominated by United.
In conclusion, while the trophy count is close and Liverpool can point to more European Cups, Manchester United have won marginally more major trophies throughout their illustrious histories.
