Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's huge clash between English football's two greatest rivals as Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford. There will be contrasting moods among the two teams given recent results, but games like this often see form go out of the window, so it will be as intriguing as ever today. We have a bumper build-up for you, so let's get started with a look at the hosts...

Things are beginning to look very promising again for the Red Devils, who have overcome a difficult start to life under Louis van Gaal and are now beginning to flourish. Their main target for the campaign was to return into the top four following David Moyes's disastrous reign last season, and with many of their rivals - Liverpool included - failing to impress so far this season, United look very likely to achieve that goal as things stand.

Of course, there is still a long way to go in the season and plenty of time for things to change, but considering the problems United have had already, to be third in the table is a big achievement at this stage of the campaign. They have been ravaged by injuries since pretty much the opening week and, while they made a very slow start, they have started to find a way to cope with their long list of absentees pretty effectively.

The most exciting thing for United fans now is that things only look like improving for them. The likes of Radamel Falcao, Daley Blind and Angel di Maria are all still struggling for fitness, and they would be three key players in Van Gaal's first-choice XI. The Dutch manager probably hasn't been able to field anything like what he would regard as his strongest side yet so, if and when he has everyone back fit, he will be confident of going from strength to strength.

His side come into this match on the best run of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era yet, with five wins on the bounce in the Premier League. They have not done that since February 2013, with Moyes's best record being four in a row. Confidence will be sky high coming into this match, then, and you can be sure that another victory today over their fiercest rivals would be the sweetest of the lot so far.

That five-match winning streak will be particularly pleasing for Van Gaal as it comes off the back of defeat in the Manchester derby - United's only loss in their last 10 matches. Given the way things had gone for the Red Devils up until that point, defeat to local rivals could have had a demoralising impact on the team, but they have bounced back brilliantly since then.

In general, they have performed better in matches against the bigger teams and those who they are expected to challenge for a top four place with. They got a deserved draw against league leaders Chelsea and only narrowly lost to City despite playing most of the match with 10 men following Chris Smalling's sending off. They also became the first team to beat Arsenal in the league at home since the opening day of last season, so they will be confident that they can raise their game against another traditional powerhouse of English football today.

Those games have been exceptions to the general rule, however, and while United are on this fine winning run, Van Gaal will have concerns over the way his side have performed so far. Their only really dominant display so far came in the 3-0 victory over Hull, and they will still be wondering quite how they won the last two matches. They were second best for long spells against Southampton last time out, while David de Gea was forced into making two world-class saves in stoppage time of their recent 2-1 victory over Stoke. Even in the win against Arsenal they could have been out of the match by the 30-minute mark, so they have certainly ridden their luck at times.

The Southampton game is perhaps the clearest example of that. The Saints played some lovely football and, while they didn't create too much in terms of chances considering their dominance, they had enough of the ball to have won that game. United only had three shots throughout the match - their lowest tally since Opta record began in 2003 - two of which were on target and found the back of the net from Robin van Persie. They also only had six touches in the opposition penalty area in the game, while Southampton managed 32.

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Even so, the most important thing in football is the result, and they ground it out at St Mary's. Ferguson's teams had an uncanny knack of managing to win games when they weren't at their best, and Van Gaal has already done that on numerous occasions as United boss. The performances certainly have plenty of room for improvement, but Van Gaal will be delighted that his side have carried on winning matches.

I alluded to the fact that United had had a host of injury problems already this season, and those have probably been felt most in defence. There were criticisms in the summer that Van Gaal didn't strengthen enough at the fact anyway, but regular injuries have not helped him at all. Often, United have been forced to call on the likes of Blackett and McNair, while midfielders Young, Valencia and Carrick have also acted as makeshift defenders. It is a weak spot for the Red Devils, and something that they will surely look address in the January transfer window.

Despite that unrest at the back, though, United have fared better than many expected in defence so far. They have conceded just 17 goals in their 15 matches which, while not being watertight, is a good record in a season that has seen plenty of goals fly in already. Indeed, only three teams have a better defensive record than Louis van Gaal's side.

At the other end of the field they were expected to outscore many sides with their summer additions, but their tally of 26 goals is perhaps a little lower than they would have liked at this stage of the campaign. In fairness, only four sides have scored more, while injuries to Falcao and Di Maria have not helped, but with a front four as strong as United are able to field they may have wanted to find the back of the net a bit more often than they have done so far. They often find themselves winning games by a solitary goal rather than blowing teams away.

Part of the reason behind their lofty league position is their superb record at home under Van Gaal. Things got off to an inauspicious start with defeat to Swansea on the opening day of the season, but since then United have dropped just two points at Old Trafford, and that was to league leaders Chelsea. They struggled in front of their own fans under David Moyes, but Van Gaal is beginning to make the Theatre of Dreams a fortress once again.

Indeed, they are six points and six places better off than at the same stage of last season, so while Van Gaal made a slow start to his time at the club, his appointment certainly looks to be paying off more than that of Moyes so far. Victory today would leave them five points behind Manchester City and eight behind Chelsea and, while a challenge for the title may well be beyond them this season, the top four is looking more likely with every passing victory.

TEAM NEWS: Right, the teams are just coming in for both sides, and the headline news for United is that Wilson starts up front, with Falcao once again on the bench. Phil Jones also returns for the hosts, partnering Evans in defence. As for Liverpool, Mignolet has been dropped from the side in favour of Brad Jones, while the visitors have also neglected to name a recognised striker, with Balotelli on the bench. Full teams for both sides coming right up...

MAN UTD STARTING XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Evans, Young; Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Rooney; van Persie, Wilson

MAN UTD SUBS: Lindegaard, McNair, Blackett, Herrera, Fletcher, Januzaj, Falcao

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Jones; Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno; Henderson, Allen, Gerrard; Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Mignolet, Toure, Lambert, Lucas, Can, Balotelli, Markovic

What can we make of those two sides, then? Well, as far as United are concerned it is interesting that Van Gaal has opted to start Wilson up front again, with Falcao left on the bench as he continues to struggle for fitness. It is a big vote of confidence in the young striker to start such a fixture, but while he has shown plenty of energy and desire in his appearances for the club so far, his presence won't worry Liverpool as much as that of Falcao may have done.

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He will be partnered up front by Van Persie, who has shown glimpses of his former self in recent weeks. He was clinical against Southampton, scoring a brace and having all three of his side's shots despite being marked out of the game for the vast majority of it. He has six goals in his last nine league games against Liverpool too, so will be confident of continuing his recent goalscoring purple patch.

Rooney is expected to play in the hole today, and the skipper has been in good form this season despite a quiet game last time out against Southampton. He has a particularly feisty relationship with Liverpool have grown up as an Everton fan and player before joining United, so he will be extra keen to get one over on his old rivals this afternoon.

Despite the absence of Di Maria and Blind, the midfield is beginning to take shape now for United, with Carrick and Fellaini enjoying an extended run in the first team following injuries. Carrick's return in particular has boosted United, with that coinciding with their recent upturn in form. He has some incredible passing statistics over the last few games, and Liverpool may be tempted to stick a player permanently on him to prevent him from controlling the game in midfield.

Another notable inclusion in the United lineup is Jones, who finally returns after a lengthy injury. Evans is also returning to fitness and makes his first start since injury today having come on as an early sub against Southampton. Valencia and Young are still makeshift full-backs, but it isn't too often that Van Gaal has been able to name two senior recognised centre-backs in the middle of defence as he has today.

For Liverpool, meanwhile, the big news is that Simon Mignolet has been dropped after receiving a lot of criticism so far this season. It is interesting timing from Rodgers to bring Jones in for such a big game and in a week that didn't exactly see Mignolet do much wrong. The Liverpool number one has perhaps suffered from a lack of competition during his time at the club, so this could well be a message from Rodgers that his place in the team is not guaranteed.

There is just the one change in defence from the side that drew with Basel on Tuesday, Moreno returning at left-back in place of Jose Enrique. Toure missed the midweek game with a groin complaint and starts this on the bench despite being named the club's player of the month for November, with Skrtel and Lovren continuing in central defence.

In midfield, it will be interesting to see where Gerrard plays this afternoon. He has operated in a more advanced role in recent weeks and could take up that position again, with Henderson and Allen the players to anchor the midfield. The Liverpool skipper has had his critics this season, but these are the sorts of games that he thrives in and he could well be central to Liverpool's chances of success today. Indeed, he has scored more goals at Old Trafford as a visiting player than anyone else in Premier League history, with his brace on the last visit taking his tally to five.

Perhaps most interestingly of all, Rodgers has opted against playing a recognised striker, with Sterling expected to take up the central role. Lallana and Coutinho will be in support of the youngster, who has suffered as much as anyone with the absence of Sturridge. Defenders have been able to double up on the winger as a result, and he has struggled to produce his best form because of that.

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Surely we will see Lambert and/or Balotelli at some point today. It's hard to imagine that Liverpool, with a weakened attack, will pull away from an in-form United so that the aforementioned duo aren't needed. However, United's defence is arguably as weak as Liverpool's attack!

Apologies for the delay there folks! We were having some technical issues at SM HQ. We're back now though and there's just over 15 minutes until kickoff at Old Trafford.

This is a huge match for Liverpool as it could be exactly what they need to kickstart their season following a very disappointing week for the club. They were knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday, while last weekend they were held to a goalless draw at home by Sunderland. They are currently five games unbeaten - their best run of the season - but things are still far from perfect for the Reds.

A lot has changed since Liverpool visited United in March and were branded as title favourites by David Moyes, and while Brendan Rodgers was seen as a miracle worker then, his job has come under increasing scrutiny so far this season. Defeat this afternoon, particularly if it is a bad one, could very well leave the Northern Irishman on thin ice. They are nine points, seven places and 15 goals worse off than at the same stage of last season, and if things don;t improve soon then Rodgers could well find himself out of the door.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Old Trafford, which means that it is time for a prediction! The form book points firmly towards a Manchester United win this afternoon, but Liverpool will be hoping that the occasion matters more than recent results in this one. Even if the visitors are likely to raise them game against their fiercest rivals, United have been in fine form at home this season, while Liverpool have been shaky on their travels. I'm going to plump for a United victory, 2-0 to the hosts.

Our Sports Mole sofa panellists were in agreement that United would win this game today. You can listen to what they had to say in our video preview below:

Liverpool's last visit here was a successful one as they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in March, with Gerrard bagging a brace and Suarez also getting on the scoresheet. Gerrard got both of his goals from the spot and missed a third penalty too, which would have made him the first player to score a hat-trick of penalties in Premier League history.

Overall, though, it is United who edge this rivalry. They have won 10 of their last 12 meetings at Old Trafford in all competitions, while of the 190 previous clashes, United have won 75 to Liverpool's 64. History is just about on the hosts' side, then, but that means very little when he get out onto the field for huge games like this.

We're just two minutes away from kickoff now in what is still the standout fixture of the English football calendar. It is highly unlikely that events today will have a say on the title race, as they have in many seasons gone by, but the allure and history of the two clubs, in addition to the geographical proximity, still makes this a wonderful fixture. We should be in for a good one!

KICKOFF: Liverpool get us underway at Old Trafford as they look to bring an end to United's winning run and maintain bragging rights over their fiercest rivals.

An early chance to threaten for Liverpool as Gerrard swings a corner into the mix that is nodded back into a dangerous area at the back post. Skrtel hooks it goalwards, but it is cleared just in front of De Gea.

Liverpool are really looking to make a quick start to this game, beginning the match with plenty of energy. They are looking to press United quickly, with the front three giving the defence very little time on the ball.

YELLOW CARD! An early yellow card is shown to Fellaini, who dives into a tackle on Lallana and gets nowhere near the ball. No complaints there.

United are in fact playing three at the back once again this afternoon, with Carrick filling in as the third central defender due to the recent injury for Rojo. Interesting move from Van Gaal, and the three at the back wasn't always successful against Southampton.

The Liverpool front three are also switching around fairly regularly, with Lallana filling in through the middle most of the time in this opening 10 minutes or so. Sterling, meanwhile, is often switching with the former Southampton man.

Sterling almost pounces on a loose pass from Young, but United just about survive that scare thanks to Carrick mopping up. The Red Devils passed the ball badly against Southampton last time out and have already gifted possession away on a few occasions today.

First blood goes to United! Moments after Sterling had missed a really good chance at one end, United break quickly down the other and take the lead through Rooney! It is good work from Valencia on the right as he skips past two challenges before cutting the ball back to the edge of the box. Rooney is in space coming onto the ball and curls his effort beyond Jones, who dived the wrong way when trying to anticipate where Rooney would go.

What a pivotal minute or so that could prove to be. Sterling had been slipped in by Lallana moments before that goal and probably should have scored despite the angle being against the youngster. Then, within seconds, Rooney had the ball in the back of the net at the other end.

That goal has really settled United down now after Liverpool had made a bright start to the game. United were clinical in their win over Southampton, and they have snapped up their one chance already this afternoon.

SAVE! Sterling picks the ball up on the left and skips past Mata, whose attempted challenge is a weak one. Sterling then squares it to Gerrard, who drives an effort towards goal that deflects tamely into the arms of De Gea.

That goal has been a bit of a hammer blow for Liverpool, who started the game full of energy and on the front foot. They are struggling to get the same sort of intensity going right now, though, giving the ball away carelessly in good positions.

BOOKING! Jones goes into the book for bringing down Coutinho.

SHOT! Sterling with a neat turn and he quickly fires at goal from a tight angle. De Gea shouldn't be beaten at his near post and isn't. Solid stop by the Spaniard.

LIVERPOOL SUB: The visitors are forced into an early change as Johnson hobbles off and is replaced by Kolo Toure.

BOOKING! The first Liverpool player to be shown a card the same colour as their kit is Allen, who blatantly obstructed Valencia's run. He didn't want a repeat of what happened for the goal.

Rooney's goal is the only shot that United have had all game. Liverpool have got three of their four shots on target, but, as we know, the scoreline is all that matters.

Gerrard's ball over the top looks perfect for the run of Moreno but the Spaniard's touch lets him down and United are able to scramble it clear.

From the resulting corner, United half-clear it before Lallana picks the ball up on the right side of the box and dinks in a cross that is just too high for Skrtel.

BOOKING! 3-1 to United on the yellow-card count as Evans joins Fellaini and Jones in the book following a trip on Coutinho.

Valencia has been a great out-ball for United in this game and he again causes Liverpool problems with a trademark fizzed low cross that Jones does well to hold.

United double their lead as Mata stoops to head home from a couple of yards at the back post. Was the Spaniard offside? Young sent in the cross from the left and if Van Persie got a touch to it when trying to flick it on at the near post then Mata is a good yard offside. It's so hard to tell if the Dutchman got anything on it, though.

CHANCE! Decent chance for Liverpool to half the deficit as Sterling pulls off his man in the middle to meet Henderson's cross. It's not a bad header from the English winger, but another comfortable save for De Gea.

BOOKING! Coutinho gets another United player booked after being fouled by Rooney. Could a United red card be on the way with four of their players cautioned already?

The fourth official signals that there will be two minutes of added time in the first half.

It's home side Man Utd who lead at the break then thanks to goals from Rooney and Mata.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with Rooney's cool opener, but it does look like Mata's goal should not have stood. TV replays so far haven't yet conclusively determined whether Van Persie applied a touch to Young's cross, but it looks like more likely that he did than he didn't. Mata was a good two yards offside if he did.

Always a heated affair:

4 - Man Utd's total of 4 yellow cards is already the joint-most they have recorded in a PL game this season (level with Everton H). Fiery. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 14, 2014

Balotelli sprints onto the pitch at half time to warm up. It looks like we will see him for the second half. He's got plenty of history at Old Trafford, remember.

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Can confirm that the second goal is definitely offside. Just seen a replay which shows that the ball changes course ever so slightly off Van Persie's head.

If you're only just joining us and want a short summary of the opening half, you could do a lot worse than our half-time report.

LIVERPOOL SUB: Balotelli does come on at the break, with Lallana coming off.

KICKOFF: We're back underway here at Old Trafford as Liverpool look to overturn this two-goal deficit. Can they do it or will United hold out?

CHANCE! Good chance for Liverpool to make an immediate impact at the start of this second half, but once again they are not ruthless when it counts. A cross arrived in from the left which Henderson attacked well, but he couldn't keep his header down.

It certainly hasn't been a happy day for Liverpool fans so far. Here are the visitors looking rather dejected after Mata doubled United's lead.

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CHANCE! Huge chance for Liverpool to halve the deficit, but once again De Gea comes out on top against Sterling. The Liverpool youngster is released clean through on goal and only has the keeper to beat, but he tries to go around the Spaniard, who stands up well. Sterling still should finish it, but his effort is straight at De Gea.

SAVE! United threaten to put the game beyond Liverpool at the other end as they break quickly. The ball eventually falls to Rooney on the left side, but his low effort is kept out by Brad Jones.

Liverpool have certainly had the chances to get themselves right back into this match, but United have been the more ruthless of the two teams in front of goal today, much like they were against Southampton.

SHOT! Wilson looks to get in on the act for United, but his long-range effort is well off target. He hit it well enough, but the accuracy was lacking.

Mario Balotelli looks to get his first Premier League goal for Liverpool in style, lining up a free kick from a good 35 yards out. The result is disappointing, however, as he drills a poor effort straight at the wall.

Liverpool are enjoying a decent amount of the ball right now, but United are holding firm. Even when they have got in behind the home defence today, they have found De Gea in fine form, as he has been all season.

With just over half an hour to go, United are looking fairly comfortable right now. They are letting Liverpool control possession, but it is all coming in front of the defence at the moment.

Good defending from Lovren as he tracks Wilson all the way down the right and gets a good tackle in on the striker as he tried to put a cross into the middle.

CLOSE! Almost a third goal for United, and it would have been a shocker for Liverpool to concede. Valencia has the ball down the right flank and drills a powerful low ball across goal. Van Persie tries to use the pace on the ball and guide it into the bottom corner, but it goes narrowly past the post.

Young comes forward down the left for the hosts and all too easily manages to work a yard for a cross. His delivery is too close to the keeper, however, and Jones collects.

OFF THE BAR! Liverpool are inches away from pulling a goal back through Balotelli! Jones initially does really well to hold Sterling up inside the box, the youngster manages to retain possession and pulls the ball back for Balotelli. The Italian puts plenty of power behind his shot, but De Gea pulls off another fine save to tip the effort onto the crossbar.

LIVERPOOL SUB: A third and final change for the visitors as Lazar Markovic replaces Moreno for the final 20 minutes or so.

MAN UTD SUB: The hosts make a change of their own as Ander Herrera comes on for Wilson. Interesting that Falcao hasn't been called for there, but Rooney will move forward as a result.

Surely that is game over now! United break quickly again, with Mata sliding a pass through to Rooney down the left channel. The skipper's pass across goal isn't great, but Lovren makes a complete mess of his clearance. It falls straight to Mata, who unselfishly finds Van Persie to roll the ball into an empty net. Jones was nowhere to be seen, while Lovren is also largely to blame for that.

There was an initial question of offside about that goal, but the linesman got it right on this occasion. Lovren had dropped deep to clear the ball and was playing Van Persie on.

YELLOW CARD! Balotelli goes into the book for a cynical tug on Jones having seen his pass intercepted.

What a swing this has been in a few short months. Back in March Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 victory here, whereas now they have been well beaten today. They finished 20 points above United last season, and unless they can come up with a miraculous comeback in the final 15 minutes here, they will be 10 behind the Red Devils now.

MAN UTD SUB: Rooney got the opening goal this afternoon, but his day is over now as he makes way to be replaced by Radamel Falcao.

Almost an immediate impact from Falcao as he slides an inch-perfect pass through to Van Persie. However, the Dutch striker has just gone too early and the flag is raised when he is through on goal.

United are getting the 'Ole!' treatment from their fans now. They are knocking the ball about confidently and are in complete control heading into the final 10 minutes.

CHANCE! Another good chance for Liverpool, but De Gea is there yet again! Henderson is slipped in down the right channel and pulls the ball back for Balotelli, who takes a touch before getting a shot away. He doesn't catch it perfectly, but De Gea still has to be alert to get down and make the save.

CLOSE! Balotelli continues his search for that elusive first Premier League goal for Liverpool, and he is not too far away from getting it in spectacular fashion here. He lets fly from 30 yards out, but his effort flies just past the post.

CHANCE! Yet another chance for Balotelli! He is slid through inside the box, but guess who is there to deny the striker? De Gea spreads himself really well and makes another big save for his side. United look like running out comfortable winners today, but without De Gea in this sort of form it could have been very different.

SAVE! At the other end it is Jones's turn to keep one out. Van Persie plucks the ball out of the air with a lovely piece of control before firing a volley towards goal with his second touch. It is a central one for Jones to deal with, but he still has to tip it over the top.

MAN UTD SUB: McNair was taken off inside the first half against Southampton, but he will get the final few minutes here as he replaces Jones.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match.

The referee finally puts Liverpool out of their misery, and it is a memorable day for United as they reverse last season's defeat to their bitter rivals with a 3-0 victory of their own. It could have been very different had Liverpool been a bit more clinical in front of goal, but in the end it was the Red Devils who were once again the most ruthless as they picked up their sixth consecutive win.

United were two goals to the good at the break, with Wayne Rooney steering home the opener before Juan Mata doubled the advantage. The latter goal had a big question over offside that didn't go Liverpool's way, but they had the chances through Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli to cancel that out. United finally sealed the victory in the 71st minute when Van Persie rolled the ball home following a mistake by Lovren.

Despite winning this one by three goals, United once again have David de Gea to thank for gaining all three points. The keeper made a string of vital saves to deny Sterling and Balotelli and was just as important - if not more so - than any of the United goalscorers. He has saved his side plenty of points already this season, and that was the case again this afternoon.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the biggest game in English football as Manchester United ultimately cruised to a 3-0 victory over fierce rivals Liverpool. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!