Manchester United Legends 4-2 Liverpool Legends: Jesper Blomqvist runs Jason McAteer ragged in feisty Stockholm match 

  • Manchester United Legends took on their Liverpool counterparts in a charity match raising funds for both clubs' Foundations
  • But there was no love lost as United won 4-2 at Stockholm's Friends Arena
  • Karel Poborsky, Dwight Yorke, Bojan Djordjic and Jesper Blomqvist scored for United with Vladimir Smicer, David Thompson getting Liverpool's goals

Manchester United beat Liverpool 4-2 in a less that friendly Legends match at the Friends Arena in Stockholm on Thursday.

Liverpool's Robbie Fowler kicked out at United's Bojan Djordjic in the first half, and Jason McAteer, playing at right back, was run ragged by Jesper Blomqvist, cynically tripping the man who famously made way for Teddy Sheringham in the 1999 Champions League Final, on a number of occasions, eventually collecting a yellow card.

Vladimir Smicer opened the scoring for Liverpool before United scored four through Karel Poborsky, Dwight Yorke, Djordjic and Blomqvist; David Thompson then scored a consolation for the Anfield outfit late on.


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Jason McAteer (right) playing at right back, was run ragged by Jesper Blomqvist, cynically tripping the winger

Jason McAteer (right) playing at right back, was run ragged by Jesper Blomqvist, cynically tripping the winger

Robbie Fowler (centre) of Liverpool vies with Manchester United's Bryan Robson (left) and Quinton Fortune

Robbie Fowler (centre) of Liverpool vies with Manchester United's Bryan Robson (left) and Quinton Fortune

In the 20th minute Raimond van der Gouw made a mess of a cross and Vladimir Smicer duly headed home

In the 20th minute Raimond van der Gouw made a mess of a cross and Vladimir Smicer duly headed home

Dwight Yorke (second right) of Manchester United celebrates after scoring past  Jerzy Dudek (centre)

Dwight Yorke (second right) of Manchester United celebrates after scoring past Jerzy Dudek (centre)

THE STARTING XIs 

Manchester United Legends: Van der Gouw; Martin, Johnsen, Robson, Irwin; Gillespie, Poborsky, Fortune, Djordjic, Blomqvist; Yorke

Goals: Poborsky, Yorke, Djordjic, Blomqvist

Liverpool Legends: Dudek, Kvarme, Henchoz, Babb, McAteer, Hamann, Harkness, Garcia, Berger, Smicer, Fowler 

Goals: Smicer, Thompson

United's Keith Gillespie had legendary Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek scrambling with a shot in the 12th minute, before Yorke failed with a lob soon afterwards, having controlled the ball on his chest after a fine cross from Denis Irwin.

In the 20th minute the Red Devils' former back-up keeper Raimond van der Gouw made a mess of a cross under pressure from Luis Garcia, punching straight to 2005 Champions League final goalscorer Vladimir Smicer, who duly headed home calmly.

Karel Poborsky then put United level on 24 minutes, clipping the ball over Dudek expertly, after a clever burst forward down the right.

Liverpool then had a good chance to go back in front as Garcia found Fowler with a scooped through ball, only for the former hitman to hit the post with a left footed volley.

But instead it was United who went ahead in the 34th minute - Yorke finding the back of the net through Dudek's legs with a right footed volley after a cross from Djordjic.

Five minutes later there was the first flash point, as Fowler seemed to deliberately lash out at Djordjic with his boot, prompting the Serbian-born Swede to aim a push back at the man Liverpool fans once called 'God.'

South African Fortune (left) challenges the bearded former Liverpool left winger Patrik Berger (right)

South African Fortune (left) challenges the bearded former Liverpool left winger Patrik Berger (right)

Manchester United's Legends squad pose at the Friends Arena in Stockholm on Thursday

Manchester United's Legends squad pose at the Friends Arena in Stockholm on Thursday

Liverpool's Legends squad captained by Fowler and managed by Ian Rush (third right, bottom row) also pose

Liverpool's Legends squad captained by Fowler and managed by Ian Rush (third right, bottom row) also pose

Playing in his native Sweden, Blomqvist then continued to beat McAteer down United's left wing, much to the former Republic of Ireland international's annoyance as he scythed down the 41-year-old down, for his third bad challenge of the game, collecting a booking in the 41st minute.

In the second half, Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld, who came on for Dudek, made a good save from an Irwin free-kick before minutes later inexplicably throwing out to Salif Diao who was not looking at the ball.

The throw was intercepted by Djordjic who smashed home from around 35 yards with Westerveld out of position.

The Red Devils' former back-up keeper to Peter Schmeichel, Van der Gouw was between the sticks

The Red Devils' former back-up keeper to Peter Schmeichel, Van der Gouw was between the sticks

Blomqvist grabbed a deserved goal for himself as he burst through and rounded Sander Westerveld to score

Blomqvist grabbed a deserved goal for himself as he burst through and rounded Sander Westerveld to score

Blomqvist then grabbed a deserved goal for himself as he burst through and rounded Westerveld to score.

Liverpool's boss for the day Ian Rush came on in the 70th minute and his arrival helped his side kick on, despite United's Clayton Blackmore missing an open goal from long range, with Westerveld again stranded in no-man's land.

Thompson, who, like McAteer, showed no signs of easing up on the aggressive side to his game, then scored Liverpool's second, and the last of the game, in the 81st minute, as Garcia played a ball across goal which was emphatically dispatched.

The Legends charity match was held so as to raise funds for both clubs' Foundations.

 McAteer puts in a cross from right back which United goalscorer Bojan Djordjic attempts to prevent

 McAteer puts in a cross from right back which United goalscorer Bojan Djordjic attempts to prevent

Blomqvist (left centre) hugs team-mate Denis Irwin (right centre) after United's 4-2 victory

Blomqvist (left centre) hugs team-mate Denis Irwin (right centre) after United's 4-2 victory

After the conclusion of the match Liverpool and United's squads came together to shake hands

After the conclusion of the match Liverpool and United's squads came together to shake hands

 

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