<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/man-utd-badge-e1281855491556.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-8467 alignleft" title="man utd badge" src="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/man-utd-badge-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a>MANCHESTER UNITED<a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/liverpool.gif-e1281734447645.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-8405" title="liverpool.gif" src="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/liverpool.gif-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a> v LIVERPOOL </strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Old Trafford, Manchester </em>September 19, 2010; 6:00 PM IST – Live on ESPN</p> <p style="text-align: center;">***</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">England’s Classico of sorts kicks of this Sunday at the <em>Theatre of Dreams</em>. The two most successful clubs in the country tied on 18 league titles each also share a sense of mutual antipathy. The two teams have had rather poor starts by their elevated standards, however, the form book goes straight out of the window in derbies as fierce and intense as the one these two North-West rivals share. <em>Liverpool </em>have lately got the better of <em>United</em> in these encounter but the <em>Red Devils</em> hold the over all edge and are always a tough nut to crack on their home patch. For the locals a win in this fixture gives them bragging rights<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/sep/17/sir-alex-ferguson-manchester-united" target="_blank"> which they so desperately clamor for</a> and is no less important than a championship in many ways.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em>United </em>go into the match after a frustrating draw against <em>Rangers</em> in the Champions League with <em>Sir Alex</em>’s team selection under the spotlight. The Scot had made ten changes to his side that threw away the lead at Goodison Park last week. With the second string line-up unable to get the result and <a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/index.php/manchester-uniteds-corner-a-wish-for-the-wings/" target="_blank">Antonio Valencia injured</a> badly during the game, questions have been raised about the squad being potent enough to compete for the title.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" title="Sports News - December 01, 2008" src="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/2893042/sports-news-december-2008/sports-news-december-2008.jpg?size=380&imageId=2893042" border="0" alt="Bildnummer: 04128136 Datum: 30.11.2008 Copyright: imago/Sportimage..Wayne Rooney (re.) und Rio Ferdinand Photo via Newscom" width="342" height="323" /><em>The duo are back for United</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Rio Ferdinand</em>’s successful return in midweek means that <em>Sir Alex</em> has a chance to field his best central defensive partnership for the first time in the season. <em>Wayne Rooney</em> is also certain to return after his omission from last week’s game due to problems surrounding his private life. The manager has already <a href="http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6652375" target="_blank">confirmed about Berbatov’s inclusion</a> in the starting XI. <em>Anderson </em>is expected to be involved at some stage after he returned as an unused substitute against <em>Rangers. Carrick</em> is still out with an achilles injury while <em>Hargreaves</em> is joined by <em>Valencia</em> as a long term casualty, rest of the squad is fit.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Liverpool,</em> on the other hand, travel to <em>Old Trafford</em> under <em>Roy Hodgson</em> for the first time. The friendly relationship of <em>Hodgson</em> with <em>Sir Alex</em> has reduced the intensity of the build-up to the game somewhat, with the <em>Liverpool </em>manager also <a href="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/clubs/premier-league/New-Liverpool-boss-Roy-Hodgson-hopes-that-his-mate-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-will-forgive-him-for-taking-up-rival-position-article512743.html" target="_blank">voicing concerns</a> about the chances of their relationship getting sour due to his decision to join the team from <em>Anfield.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" title="Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic and Danny Wilson sign for Liverpool FC" src="http://view1.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9433417/joe-cole-milan-jovanovic/joe-cole-milan-jovanovic.jpg?size=380&imageId=9433417" border="0" alt="July 27, 2010 - Liverpool, United Kingdom - epa02263006 Liverpool's newly appointed head coach Roy Hodgson attends a photocall at the Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, north west Britain, 27 July 2010. Soccer players Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic and Danny Wilson were unveiled as Liverpool's new signings under newly appointed head coach Roy Hodgson." width="342" height="261" /><em>A tough start at his new job</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Liverpool </em>has started the season rather unconvincingly under their new manager with their only win coming in the form of a scrappy 1-0 win over lowly <em>West Brom</em>. With fans already questioning the manager, defeat in this game could put <em>Hodgson</em> under immense pressure.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Hodgson</em>, like <em>Sir Alex</em>, also rested his stars for the Europa League game against <em>Steaua Bucharest</em>, but <em>Liverpool</em> did manage to get the desired result as they secured a comfortable 4-1 win. The biggest concern for the manager is the poor form of start striker <em>Fernando Torres</em> as the <em>Spaniard</em> is under media scrutiny after his miserable outing at St. Andrews. <em>Joe Cole</em> will return after a three match ban for his red-card in the opening game against Arsenal. Hard working <em>Dirk Kuyt</em> is still out due to his shoulder injury while <em>Aurelio</em> is also missing due to an achilles problem.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">-</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Probable Starting Line-ups</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="border: 0px initial initial;" src="http://this11.com/boards/1284721762249682.jpg" border="0" alt="Football Fans Know Better" width="269" height="412" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;"></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><strong><strong>- Key Match Facts </strong></strong></strong>1) <em>Torres</em> last scored an away goal in the league at <em>Old Trafford</em> in March. 2) <em>Liverpool</em> have scored only eight goals in their last 14 away league games including four at <em>Burnley</em> last season. 3) <em>United</em> have won 12 out of the last 13 games at <em>Old Trafford</em>. 4) <em>Liverpool</em> have won just 1 out of their last 11 away league games.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">-</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>TheHardTackle’s Player To Watch Out For </strong><strong><em>Dimitar Berbatov (Man United)</em> </strong>The big Bulgarian has been in tremendous form since the start of the season having already scored four times in the opening five games for the <em>Red Devils</em>. He also led the line brilliantly against <em>Everton</em> last week in the absence of <em>Rooney</em>. His deft touches and flicks might be hard for the <em>Liverpool </em>defence to cope-up with.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" title="Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov shoots and scores his goal against West Ham United during their English Premier League soccer match in Manchester" src="http://view3.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9621845/manchester-united-dimitar/manchester-united-dimitar.jpg?size=380&imageId=9621845" border="0" alt="Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov (R) shoots and scores his goal against West Ham United during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester August 28, 2010. REUTERS/ Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER IMAGES OF THE DAY) NO ONLINE/INTERNET USAGE WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM THE FOOTBALL DATA CO LTD. FOR LICENCE ENQUIRIES PLEASE TELEPHONE ++44 (0)" width="380" height="223" /><em>Berbatov - Finally flying high!</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>- TheHardTackle’s KEY BATTLE: <em>Torres vs Vidic</em> <span style="font-weight: normal;">The Spaniard has been a nemesis for <em>United</em> in the last few fixtures, although <em>Vidic'</em>s failure to cope-up with him has been overly exaggerated</span> </strong>in the media. This winner of this battle could very well be the winner of the game itself.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><strong><strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><strong>- TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION <em>Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool </em> <span style="font-weight: normal;">There has been only 1 drawn game in the last 20 between these two sides. Expect another close and fiery encounter with <em>United</em> just coming out on top.</span></strong></span></strong></strong></strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><strong><strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><strong>- TheHardTackle’s BLAST FROM THE PAST:</strong></span></strong></span></strong></strong></strong></strong></p> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofp4yH9tDPw