Manchester United v Liverpool: match preview

Read a full match preview of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday Sept 19 2010, kick-off 13:30 BST.

Sunday, September 19

Manchester United v Liverpool
Old Trafford
Kick off:
1.30 BST
TV: Live Sky, Highlights BBC2 Match of the Day2.

-- Follow live commentary of the match with Jonathan Liew from 12.45pm

Manchester United (Possible, 4-4-1-1): Van der Sar; Neville, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Nani, Scholes, Fletcher, Park; Berbatov; Rooney
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Konchesky; Poulsen, Meireles; Maxi, Gerrard, Jovanovic; Torres.
Referee: Howard Webb. Matches: 1. R0 Y3.

Tale of the game

In 18 Premier League games between these keen rivals at Old Trafford, United have won 10 and lost four, scoring 27 goals and conceding 15. That record includes five wins from the last six at home.

Overall, United have met 77 times at home in league football, winning 37 and losing just 15, while scoring an impressive 127 goals and conceding 70.

Liverpool have kept successive clean sheets, against WBA and Birmingham, but have won just once in the League so far this season. And Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has beaten Sir Alex Ferguson just twice in nine meetings in the Premier League.

United are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games, winning six and drawing three.

United made 10 changes for the visit of Rangers in Tuesday’s Champions League tie so Ferguson should revert to most of the players who drew 3-3 at Everton, though Wayne Rooney, who was left out at old club Everton, should face Liverpool.

Antonio Valencia is out about breaking his ankle against Rangers while Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick are still missing. Liverpool are without Fabio Aurelio and Dirk Kuyt.

- Referee Howard Webb urged to keep a cool head at Old Trafford

What they are saying

Sir Alex Ferguson: "I sound like a parrot but this is the fixture. There is no question about that.

"It doesn't change. The form fluctuates quite a bit but we won the last game so hopefully that turns it back towards us again."

Roy Hodgson: "It is a difficult encounter always but it is a game which has thrilled people throughout the years and let's hope it is no different at the weekend.

"There is no point in me or Alex (Ferguson) trying to build up the game because it has been built up anyway; all we can do is get on with it and hope our teams are well prepared on the field and our players perform.

"The result will be very important. This is going to be an even league, more than half the table is currently separated by a point or two.

"But it is going to be a long haul for everyone this season before you get into a position where you hope you will end up.

"Games of this magnitude coming so early in our time here are not exactly ideal but I'm hoping we will give it our best shot and see what the game brings."

Last season: Liverpool 2 United 0, United 2 Liverpool 1.

Stat of the game: Liverpool have won once in their last 11 away games, scoring just eight goals in their last 14.

Betting tip: This has a feel of another draw about it. So gamble on 2-2 and take 18-1.

More match facts

The Red Devils have won 12 of their last 13 Premier League games at home.

Nemanja Vidic has been sent off three times against Liverpool in the Premier League – more than any player versus a single opponent in the competition.

There have been six red cards shown in the last seven Premier League meetings between Man Utd and Liverpool.

Three of the last four meetings between Liverpool & Man Utd have seen the scorer of the first goal go on to lose the game.

Fernando Torres has scored in his last three Premier League games against Man Utd.

Only one of the last 20 Premier League meetings between Man Utd and Liverpool has ended as a draw.

Only Chelsea (five times) have won away at Old Trafford more often than Liverpool (4) in the Premier League era.

Liverpool have won just one of their last 11 Premier League away games and failed to score in the last three.

Liverpool have won only one of their last six Premier League north west derbies away from home.

Of United’s crosses this season, 31 have found a team-mate, a league-high.