Liverpool vs. Manchester United head-to-head: Who has won the most trophies?

Jeorge Bird

Liverpool vs. Manchester United head-to-head: Who has won the most trophies? image

Liverpool demolished Manchester United twice in the Premier League this season, 5-0 (Oct. 2021) and 4-0 (April 2022), in the latest chapter of a fascinating rivalry.

And they beat the Red Devils in the trophy department this season as well: Man United went trophy-less, while Liverpool have claimed two trophies and are still in the running for two more.

Both clubs have a rich history and have won an array of league titles and trophies, with Liverpool adding to their totals this season.

In fact, Liverpool are on a quest for a historic quadruple in 2021-22, which would be one better than Manchester United's famous 1999 treble. Meanwhile, the Red Devils will finish the campaign trophy-less, a disappointing outcome for a club accustomed to silverware.

Here's a look at all of the trophies that Liverpool and Manchester United have won. If you don't count the second division titles, they're even at 65-65 after Liverpool's 2022 FA Cup triumph. Add in the second division and Liverpool are ahead.

MORE: Latest on Liverpool's pursuit of a historic quadruple

Competition Man United Liverpool
English 1st Div /
Premier League
20 19
FA Cup 12 8
League Cup 5 9
Champions League 3 6
UEFA Cup /
Europa League
1 3
Cup Winners Cup 1 0
UEFA Super Cup 1 4
Club World Cup /
Intercont'l Cup
1 1
Community Shield 21 15
English 2nd Div 2 4
TOTAL 67 69

Liverpool vs. Man United: League titles

  • Manchester United: 20
  • Liverpool: 19

United's 20 league titles mean they have one more than Liverpool — but there is a real possibility that the Reds could draw level if they win their tight battle with Manchester City to finish in the top spot this season.

After a sustained period of dominance that put their title tally well ahead of United's, Liverpool had to wait 30 years to claim their most recent league title, which came in 2020.

Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson

The Red Devils enjoyed much success domestically under the guidance of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who established them as the club with the most league titles in England. Tellingly, they haven't won the Premier League since Ferguson's retirement in 2013.

Liverpool vs. Man United: FA Cup trophies

  • Manchester United: 12
  • Liverpool: 8

Liverpool won their first FA Cup since 2006 when they beat Chelsea on penalties in the 2022 final, ending a lengthy wait to lift the trophy.

United were knocked out by West Ham in the third round in 2021-22, meaning their wait to win the cup for a 13th time — their most recent triumph came when they beat Crystal Palace in the final in 2016 — goes on.

MORE: Have Liverpool and Chelsea ever met in an FA Cup final?

Liverpool vs. Man United: League Cups

  • Liverpool: 9
  • Manchester United: 5

While United have the edge in the FA Cup, Liverpool have been more successful overall in the League Cup, winning the trophy for the ninth time in a dramatic win against Chelsea on penalties at Wembley this season.

Liverpool's lead over United in League Cup trophies in their cabinet is also a result of the four consecutive times they won the competition between 1981 and 1984.

United won four of their five League Cup titles in a flurry between 2006 and 2017. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice when they beat Southampton 3-2 in the last of those victories.

Liverpool vs. Man United: Champions League

  • Liverpool: 6
  • Manchester United: 3

Liverpool have won the Champions League — formerly known as the European Cup — six times, including a most recent triumph when they eased past Premier League rivals Tottenham 2-0 in the 2019 final.

That means they have won Europe's most prestigious club football trophy twice as many times as United, who last lifted it under Sir Alex with a penalty shootout victory over Chelsea in 2008, when Cristiano Ronaldo was named man of the match.

MORE: How many trophies have Liverpool won?

Other trophies won by Liverpool, Man United 

These teams have won a significant number of other titles, including 36 triumphs in the domestic showpiece known as the FA Community Shield, of which United have recorded 21.

Liverpool have won the Europa League — previously called the UEFA Cup — three times, while United have won it once. Liverpool have won the UEFA Super Cup four times, while United have won it once, as well as the Cup Winners' Cup.

The Merseysiders have won the FIFA Club World Cup and the second division title four times. United have an Intercontinental Cup trophy to their name and they have finished top of the English second tier twice.

Liverpool vs. Man United trophy showdowns

Premier League: Despite the propensity of these two heavyweights to finish near the top of the table, there haven't been many seasons during the Premier League era when the north-west giants have competed against each other in title races.

On one of those occasions, the 2008-09 season, United sealed first place on the penultimate weekend of the season and finished four points ahead of second-placed Liverpool despite losing twice to Liverpool both home and away.

MORE: Rangnick says Ronaldo's future at Man United not his call

League Cup: Liverpool faced United in the League Cup final in 2003, when goals from England legends Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen gave Gerard Houllier's side victory in Cardiff.

FA Cup: The sides have also met in two FA Cup finals. United won 1-0 at Wembley in 1996, when club icon Eric Cantona scored the winner five minutes from time. James Greenhoff's goal decided the game when United won 2-1 in the 1977 final.

Europa League: Liverpool won 3-1 on aggregate in the quarterfinals of the 2015-16 Europa League. Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino scored in a 2-0 win in the first leg at Anfield, and Anthony Martial gave United hope in the return game at Old Trafford, only for Philippe Coutinho to restore the two-goal Liverpool cushion.

Liverpool vs. Man United head-to-head

United have won the head-to-head fixture 81 times compared to Liverpool's 69 victories. The teams could not be separated 58 times. Here are the totals so far:

Competition Man United
wins
Draws Liverpool
wins
League 68 50 59
FA Cup 10 4 4
League Cup 2 0 3
Europa League 0 1 1
Other 1 3 2
TOTAL 81 58 69

Liverpool vs. Man United: Tale of the tape

In total, United's 66 trophies mean they have won one more than Liverpool.

United lead the way in terms of league titles and FA Cups, but Liverpool have been more successful in terms of the Champions League and the League Cup.

The balance could be about to tip in Liverpool's favour as they target a remarkable quadruple. Having won the 2022 League Cup and the FA Cup, they are still going for glory in the Premier League and the Champions League, giving them the opportunity to surpass United.

Jeorge Bird