IT MAY HAVE been a charity game but there was no love lost as Man United legends beat Liverpool legends in Stockholm this afternoon.
Man United, managed by Bryan Robson, came from behind to run out 4-2 winners at the Friends Arena but it was anything but good-natured on the pitch.
Robbie Fowler was guilty of kicking out at Bojan Djordjic, Jason McAteer was booked for hauling down Jesper Blomqvist and Denis Irwin was fortunate not to give away a penalty.
Vladimir Smicer put Liverpool in-front but United hit back with four goals before David Thompson added a late consolation for the Reds.
After Smicer’s opener, it took United just four minutes to level proceedings.
Karel Poborsky latched onto Keith Gillespie’s perfectly weighted ball and with Jerzy Dudek advancing off his line, the former Czech international produced a delightful chip.
Dwight Yorke and Djordjic scored either side of the break and Blomqvist sealed the win on the hour mark.
Man United: Van der Gouw (Pilkington 69); Martin, Johnsen, Robson (Beardsmore 69), Irwin (Thomas 82); Gillespie, Poborsky, Fortune, Djordjic (Yorke 84), Blomqvist (Thornley 61); Yorke (Blackmore 61, Blomqvist 76).
Liverpool: Dudek (Westerveld 46); Kvarme (McAteer 87), Henchoz (Diao 46), Babb; McAteer (Partridge 65), Garcia, Hamann, Berger, Harkness (Thompson 46); Smicer (Rush 70), Fowler.