---
title: "Howard claims the Merseyside Derby trumps the Manchester rivalry"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/howard-claims-the-merseyside-derby-trumps-the-manchester-rivalry/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2019-12-04T12:00:00Z"
modified: "2019-12-04T12:00:00Z"
---

# Howard claims the Merseyside Derby trumps the Manchester rivalry

Tim Howard has claimed that the Manchester Derby pales in comparison to the Merseyside Derby.

The former Everton and Manchester United goalkeeper had the opportunity to play in both rivalries during his time in the Premier League, spending four years at Old Trafford and ten years at Goodison Park.

With Everton set to face Liverpool this evening, the Toffees will be hoping to end a run that has seen them winless in this fixture since 2010.

![Chris Brunskill/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readeverton.com/readeverton/2019/12/532380468.jpg)

Manchester City are set to host United on Saturday, and while the Manchester derby has been a more competitive fixture in recent years with both clubs winning their fair share of match-ups, Howard has defended the Merseyside Derby.

The former USA international claims that the Merseyside Derby is the ‘biggest’ game, and the Manchester clash doesn’t compare. [Talking to talkSPORT](https://talksport.com/football/637979/everton-tim-howard-liverpool-merseyside-manchester-derby/), Howard said:

> It will always be the biggest game. The Merseyside derby is the greatest game I’ve ever played in.
>
> It’s a thousand times better than the Manchester derby. Anyone who tells you differently is just pulling your leg.
>
> \[The Merseyside derby\] is the one everyone looks forward to, even people who don’t reside on Merseyside, it’s special.
>
> When you talk about the Merseyside derby, it goes back forever and ever in the top-flight.
>
> Manchester City were a yo-yo club for a very long time. City fans won’t like me saying that, but the facts are there. There was a long time when the Manchester derby wasn’t in the top-flight and that takes a little bit of lustre off.
>
> Of course, now that there’s big money getting pumped in, it’s created that buzz again. It’s brought that alive again. It’s still special. I’m going to watch it and people will enjoy it. But if you’re talking about the best one, it’s Merseyside.

### Read Everton Verdict

Tim Howard certainly isn’t wrong, and it is the history that sets the two rivalries apart.

As the American mentioned, with City’s rise to relevance only coming about in the past ten years, the rivalry has only emerged as a recent by-product of their success, while the Merseyside Derby has been a heated affair for some time.

It has the most red cards of any Premier League fixture, and tempers usually fly high when the Reds and the Blues face off.

With Liverpool looking to increase their stranglehold on the Premier League top spot, and with Everton desperate to get back to winning ways, it could prove to be a feisty affair at Anfield this evening.