Sir Alex Ferguson on Manchester United vs Liverpool games

Sir Alex has stressed again how this is the most important fixture in the United calendar. The 2 clubs are virtually neck and neck in their roll of honours and success and that fuels the colossal rivalry along with the regional hostility between many mancunians and merseysiders.

Being interviewed he said "I may sound like a parrot sometimes because I say this time and time again but this is the fixture. And the form in these fixtures fluctuates quite a bit. There was a period for about five years [in the late 90s] when we hardly lost and then recently they won a few in a row. We won the last game [in March 2010], so hopefully that swings it back in our favour again."

Although Liverpool played a Europa League tie on Thursday night, Sir Alex doesn’t expect any sizable advantage from an extra two days’ rest. He added "Liverpool rested players on Thursday so it doesn’t really matter. Both teams will be well prepared for the game. We’re looking forward to it."