Wayne Rooney scored in this fixture last season but is currently experiencing a goal drought in the league.
Barclays Premier League
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Venue: Old Trafford Date: Saturday, 12 September |
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he is yet to decide whether he will recall David De Gea after the goalkeeper signed a new contract.
New £36m signing Anthony Martial could be involved, while midfielder Michael Carrick is doubtful with a calf injury.
Philippe Coutinho is suspended for Liverpool, while Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana could miss out again with foot and thigh injuries respectively.
Daniel Sturridge is back in training but is not yet ready to play matches.
The striker hasn't featured since he underwent hip surgery in May.
MOTD COMMENTATOR’S NOTES
Steve Wilson: "Wayne Rooney may feel that a pressure has been lifted from his shoulders, but club managers rarely get that luxury and Messrs Van Gaal and Rodgers were both under scrutiny following Premier League defeats before the international break.
"Liverpool's was the more surprising. West Ham made them look very ordinary at Anfield – or 'bang average' as Harry Redknapp put it. Two goals in four games, one worldie and one off-side, is hardly the stuff of legend.
"Manchester United aren't scoring freely either, and it's interesting to note that whilst Wayne Rooney's last 10 international goals have come in 12 games, his last 10 club goals have come in 30."
Twitter: @SteveWilson1967
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal on new signing Anthony Martial: "I imagine the fans think '£50m, he has to score.' No, he is 19 and he has to adapt.
"You could see how Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao struggled. The pressure at United is much higher than at another club, so we mustn't give him too much pressure.
"But he must adapt to our culture and philosophy and that is difficult enough."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: "United is a huge club and will always be under scrutiny. The intensity of this fixture is still there. The players will feel it.
"We've had two tough games away from home and performed well in terms of our organisation. We also want to be really creative.
"This is the biggest derby game in the history of this league. Winning a game like this can give you psychological boost."
LAWRO’S PREDICTION
Apart from a spell of about 25 minutes against Newcastle, Manchester United have not really prised open teams too often this season. It was the same with Liverpool last time out against West Ham. So I am expecting this to be a very tight game, and I am also expecting it to end up as another draw.
Lawro's full predictions v ex-F1 driver Mark Webber
- Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in our Predictor game.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Manchester United have won seven of their eight most recent meetings with Liverpool in all competitions at Old Trafford, losing the other.
- There hasn't been a draw between these sides at Old Trafford since March 2000 – they've had 17 meetings since in all competitions.
- This Premier League fixture has produced 16 red cards. Only Everton v Liverpool (20) has seen more.
Manchester United
- Manchester United have lost just one of their previous 10 leagues games at Old Trafford (W7, D2).
- However, they have only won three of their last 10 Premier League matches (D3, L4).
- United have kept a clean sheet in three of their four league games this season.
- Wayne Rooney needs one goal to move alongside Denis Law in joint-third of the club's all-time leading league scorers, with 171. Only Bobby Charlton (199) and Jack Rowley (182) have scored more.
- David de Gea has not kept a clean sheet in any of his last seven full 90-minute appearances in the Premier League.
Liverpool
- Liverpool have taken four points from their two away matches this season.
- However, they have only won one of their last seven away games in the Premier League (D3, L3).
- Brendan Rodgers' side have kept a clean sheet in three of their four league games this season – although they conceded three goals in their last match against West Ham.
- They could fail to score in three consecutive league matches for the first time since February to March 2005.
- Liverpool have hit the woodwork five times this season – a Premier League high.