David Moyes’s branding of Liverpool as favourites against Manchester United at Old Trafford for last season’s edition of this fixture hardly enamoured the Scot to fans. In Louis van Gaal they now have a manager to believe in and he “welcomes” Brendan Rodgers’ side seeking a six consecutive win. The Liverpool manager is feeling serious heat due to average domestic form and being knocked out of the Champions League and a victory over the auld enemy would be a fair fillip. Jamie Jackson

Kick-off Sunday 1.30pm

Venue Old Trafford

Last season Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3

Live Sky Sports 1

Referee M Atkinson

This season G12, Y47, R1, 4.0 cards per game

Odds H 5-6 A 19-5 D 29-10

Manchester United

Subs from Lindegaard, Vermijl, Amos, Thorpe, Rothwell, Mata, Anderson, Janko, Lingard, Fletcher, Januzaj, Jones, Blackett, McNair, Falcao, Da Silva

Doubtful Jones, Lingard (match fitness)

Injured Blind (knee, 26 Dec), Di María (hamstring, 26 Dec), Shaw (ankle, 28 Dec), Smalling (calf, 26 Dec)

Suspended None

Form LWWWWW

Discipline Y27 R3

Leading scorer Van Persie 6

Liverpool

Subs from Jones, Balotelli, Lovren, Moreno, José Enrique, Coutinho, Can, Lallana, Markovic, Borini, Sakho

Doubtful Balotelli (groin)

Injured Flanagan (knee, Jan), Sturridge (thigh, Jan), Suso (groin, Jan)

Suspended None

Form LLLWWD

Discipline Y28 R0

Leading scorers Gerrard, Sterling 3