By Nick Harris

19 September 2010

Dimitar Berbatov today became the first Manchester United player in 64 years to score a league hat-trick against Liverpool when he scored all three goals in United’s 3-2 win at Old Trafford. The second of the goals was an instant classic, involving a long pass from Darren Fletcher, a cross by Nani, a tee-up on the knee with his back to goal by Berbatov, and a sensational bicycle kick finish.

The goal is already the favourite to be the Goal of the Season and was being watched by tens of thousands of people on YouTube within minutes. Clips were being taken down for copyright reasons almost as fast as they were being put up. Click here to see if others remain ‘live’.

The last United player to score a hat-trick against Liverpool was Stan Pearson, in a 5-0 win, on 11 September 1946, in a game played on a Wednesday night. That took place at Maine Road because Old Trafford had been bomb-damaged in the war.

Those looking for omens may be interested to know that England’s top division was won that season by . . . Liverpool, with United in second place, ahead of Wolves, Stoke and Blackpool.

The 5-0 romp for United back then arrived just as football league action was resuming after the seven-year hiatus caused by the Second World War.

.

More stories mentioning United

More stories mentioning Liverpool

Sportingintelligence home page

.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Do you watch Premier League football anywhere outside England? Join our unique research project

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *