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Manchester United have lost three in a row to Liverpool. It’s been two years since the Red Devils got a win over the Reds. And although the reverse fixture this year at Anfield ended in a 2-0 defeat to the Merseyside men, United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson must feel pretty good about his team’s chances as they get ready to host Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.

United have five wins in their last five matches in all competitions. They’ve scored 13 goals in those five games and given up just two. Their home record is more impressive however.

The Red Devils have won seven consecutive matches, scored 25 goals in those seven matches, and given up just one.

Wayne Rooney alone has 32 goals to his name this season and seems to be unstoppable. Cristiano Ronaldo’s season scoring record of 42 may well fall victim to Rooney this year.

Is Berbatov beginning to live up to expectations?

In recent weeks, however, £30.75 million man Dimitar Berbatov has been making a name for himself too. Unable thus far in his career with United to make the kind of impression his hefty price tag would suggest we should expect, the Bulgarian striker has been in good form in recent outings.

Berbatov scored one and also assisted in a Wayne Rooney goal in the 3-0 victory over Fulham last week.

But a cautionary note would seem prudent here. United struggled to get a win against lowly Wolves. Rooney missed that match through injury. Berbatov played in that match.

Conclusion? United fans everywhere should cross their fingers and hope that Rooney stays healthy through the end of the season. Without him the Red Devils’ ambitions are in serious jeopardy.

Giggs ready to return?

Good news for United comes in the form of Ryan Giggs, who has been out of action since mid-February after sustaining a broken arm against Aston Villa. Giggs has been training and may be available for the match against Liverpool.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson thinks that Giggs’ is coming back at exactly the right time. United will need all available boots on ground to protect their lead over Chelsea for the run in to the end of the season. Giggs’ experience and skill, and a month’s rest, could prove crucial.

Although United have a two point lead over the Chelsea they have no room for error, since Chelsea have a game in hand.

Convalescents, Rafael and Evans may also be available for the Liverpool match, although Hargreaves, O’Shea, de Laet, Macheda, Brown and Owen are out. 

Can Liverpool get that Champions League spot?

If the run in to the end of the season has major implications for Manchester United, implications are no less major for Liverpool, although their objective is more humble.

Liverpool’s aim is to finish fourth in the league and thus secure a Champions League pre-qualifying spot for next season.

Manager Rafa Benitez as much as promised that the Reds would finish in that fourth position. But his team is in a scrap with three other clubs, among them current fourth place Tottenham, as well as Manchester City and Aston Villa.

Three points separate all four teams. But Tottenham have a game in hand over Liverpool, and Manchester City and Aston Villa each have two games in hand over the Reds.

Liverpool’s away record not so good!

Liverpool are coming off a 4-1 victory at home over Portsmouth on Monday, as well as an important 3-0 victory at home against Lille on Thursday in the second leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie.

Yet their overall record has not been stellar. They have three wins and two losses in their last five matches in all competitions. Their away record, however, is dismal. Liverpool have won just once in eight away matches.

The Reds can take comfort in some good news though. Seldom used Alberto Aquilani, the ₤20 million transfer from Roma, was man-of-the-match against Portsmouth last week and had his first goal as a Liverpool player.

Gerrard can play, says the league

More importantly for Liverpool, and much to Sir Alex Ferguson’s consternation, Steven Gerrard has escaped punishment for an alleged elbow that felled Portsmouth’s Michael Brown on Monday. Gerrard faced the possibility of a three game suspension which would have kept him out of the United match this weekend. 

Definitely out of the match this weekend is defender Martin Skrtel, who has a broken metatarsal. Fabio Aurelio, who has been nursing a thigh injury, may be available, however.

Riera and Benitez feud

Also definitely out of the match this weekend, though not through injury, is Liverpool’s Spanish midfielder Albert Riera.

Riera unleashed a verbal salvo against Benitez’s managerial style this week and simultaneously announced his desire to quit the club. Riera has been suspended.

A must win for both teams, for very different reasons

Manchester United’s successful defense of their Premier League championship seems likely to reach climax on April 3, when Chelsea visit Old Trafford. But games like this weekend’s match with Liverpool are no less important since United have no option but to stay ahead of Chelsea’s pace.

“Fourth” must now be Liverpool’s definition of success for this season’s domestic campaign. A fourth place finish in the league will get them into the Champions League and save a little face for Rafa Benitez, while a fourth consecutive victory over Manchester United on Sunday would bring some joy to supporters who have suffered through a painful season.
 

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