Match Preview: Manchester United v Liverpool

Manchester United v Liverpool
Old Trafford
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Kick-off: 7 pm

David Moyes’s branding of Liverpool as favourites against Manchester United at Old Trafford for last season’s edition of this fixture hardly enamored 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 old enemy would be a fair fillip. 

United were poor in victory at St Mary's on Monday night and lost in both Premier League encounters against Liverpool last season, but at present it is United who have the upper hand on their bitter rivals.
Brendan Rodgers' men are seven points behind United in ninth place after losing six games this season, but will know anything can happen in what is still one of the fiercest rivalries in the Premier League.

Midfielder Angel di Maria will miss Manchester United's game against Liverpool on Sunday because of a hamstring injury.

Defenders Phil Jones (shin) and Rafael (groin) return after two months on the sidelines.

Left-back Luke Shaw (ankle), midfielder Daley Blind (knee) and defender Chris Smalling (groin) are out though.

Striker Mario Balotelli is back in training and could return to the squad for Sunday's trip to Manchester United.

The Italy forward has been sidelined since November 8 because of a groin problem sustained on international duty.

Midfielder Adam Lallana will be in the squad despite breaking two ribs just over a week ago while centre-back Kolo Toure is expected to have recovered from a groin injury which kept him out of the midweek Champions League draw against Basel.

Only Everton v Liverpool (20) has seen more red cards than Liverpool v Manchester United of all fixtures in Premier League history (15).

Steven Gerrard has scored more goals as an away player at Old Trafford than any other player in Premier League history (5).

Mario Balotelli’s only previous appearance in the league at Old Trafford saw him score twice in Man City’s 6-1 demolition of the Red Devils in October 2011.

Liverpool’s haul of 21 points is their fourth lowest in Premier League history at this stage of the season. They had 19 points in 1992-93, 2010-11 and 2012-13.

Preview: Manchester City vs Manchester United

Etihad Stadium
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Kick-off : 7 pm Sri Lankan Time.

Manchester City desperately require victory following the three-match wobble that has included defeat in the past two games plus a draw. The nightmare scenario for the champions is to go down to Manchester United before their home crowd. Do so and Manuel Pellegrini will have a crisis on his hands ahead of the Champions League match against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday. The blue half of Manchester have a fantastic recent record over their illustrious rivals, with the ‘noisy neighbours’ emerging victorious from five of the last six encounters.

United will be buoyed by a much improved performance against table-topping Chelsea last time out, with Robin van Persie getting on the scoresheet to give his own confidence a major boost after some lacklustre displays.

Despite the draw last week, the 20-time top flight champions have made their worst start to a Premier League season, gaining just 13 points from their opening nine games. Last season under David Moyes, they had 14 points.

Defensive frailties have been the catalyst for such a slow start, with injuries blamed for a lack of continuity within the United rearguard. De Gea may have to repeat his heroics from United’s last win over Everton at the beginning of October if his side are to get anything from their short trip to the Etihad, with Louis van Gaal desperate to kick-start United’s season, and fans in need of a welcome boost.

Manchester City midfielder David Silva will miss Sunday's derby against Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League after being ruled out for around three weeks with a knee injury.

Fellow midfielder Yaya Touré is expected to feature despite being withdrawn during Wednesday's Capital One Cup loss to Newcastle amid concerns about a groin problem.

Former England midfielder Frank Lampard is still expected to be absent with a thigh injury but playmaker Samir Nasri appeared to make a successful return in midweek from groin surgery.

United boss Van Gaal will have to decide whether Wayne Rooney is worthy of a starting place after serving his suspension for his dismissal against West Ham.

The Red Devils' skipper could replace Juan Mata, who has not made the most of his chance in Rooney's absence. Radamel Falcao and Phil Jones will both be absent on Sunday, but Jonny Evans could make a return after recovering from a ankle injury.

• Yaya Toure has scored in three of his last four Premier League appearances against Man Utd.

• Man City have won the last three Manchester derbies in the Premier League. They have not won four in a row in the league since December 1970.

• Wayne Rooney is the top scorer in Manchester derbies, both overall and in the Premier League – 11 in all comps and eight in the Premier League.

• Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero have both scored four goals in five Premier League appearances against United.

Source: The Guardian, Telegraph, Sky Sports

Manchester United v Swansea City: team news and match preview

Saturday, August 16, 2014 Old Trafford
Kick-off: 5.15 pm Sri Lankan Time.
Referee: Mike Dean. Matches (last season): 27, R5 Y101.

The Dutchman opens his domestic campaign at Old Trafford but his options in defence are stretched due to the absence of Luke Shaw, while Jonny Evans and Rafael are also doubts. 

After earning widespread praise since taking charge at Old Trafford, Louis van Gaal knows he will be judged on results from the moment Manchester United begin their Premier League campaign against Swansea City on Saturday. In contrast to predecessor David Moyes, who appeared like a contest winner plucked from obscurity during his short and ill-fated spell in charge of one of the biggest clubs in the world, Van Gaal immediately oozed a sense of assurance and authority since arriving. His forthrightness has left no one second guessing and the results in preseason, all victories (if you count a shootout win over Inter Milan), have bred optimism. 

Louis Van Gaal takes over the reigns at Manchester United and the club has made some moves in the off-season, but no big ones. Their offense will still be led by Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, which are the two key players that Swansea must mark in this match.

One of the bigger signings for Swansea this off-season was keeper Lukasz Fabianski, who comes over after seven years at Arsenal. He never became the true No. 1 keeper for the Gunners and he looks to anchor the Swansea defense.

Wilfried Bony scored 25 goals for Swansea last season and the squad upgraded their attack in the off-season by brining in Bafetimbi Gomis and Jefferson Montero. Their attack should be better than last season, but they need to play solid in the midfield against Man U to have any chance to score a big upset.

Manchester United's attack - Rooney, van Persie and Juan Mata - is solid and their midfield is superior to Swansea.

Twelve months after David Moyes started his Manchester United reign with a 4-1 win over Swansea, his replacement, Louis van Gaal, begins his spell in charge at Old Trafford against the same opposition.

There are defensive injury concerns and a shortage of new faces but there is also new system, 3-4-1-2, and Wayne Rooney, so disaffected in Wales a year ago, has been given the captaincy.

Swansea manager Garry Monk has strengthened well and is now confident of keeping striker Wilfried Bony. 

Van Gaal will certainly have wanted to have at least a couple more signings over the line by this stage. The defense is a particular worry and Swansea’s best player last season, Wilfried Bony could take advantage. But Darren Fletcher has looked good in preseason alongside Herrera in midfield and, with Wayne Rooney also in good form, United should have enough to get an opening win.

Highlights: Man Utd 3 Real 1, Liverpool 2 AC Milan 0 & Man City 5 Olympiakos 6

Manchester United 3 Real Madrid 1 

Liverpool 2 AC Milan 0

Olympiakos 6 Manchester City 5

Pre Season friendly fixture list of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd, Spurs, Newcastle

Pre Season friendly fixture list of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City,  Man Utd, Spurs, Newcastle. Times are in GMT. 

Arsenal

26 July New York Red Bulls (A), 5pm local time, New Jersey, USA

Emirates Cup

2 August Benfica (H), 4.20pm, Emirates Stadium

3 August Monaco (H), 4.20pm, Emirates Stadium

Community Shield

10 August Manchester City (N), 3pm, Wembley Stadium

Chelsea

23 July RZ Pellets WAC (A), 7.30pm local time, Klagenfurt, Austria

27 July NK Olimpika Ljubljana (A), Kick-off TBC, Ljubljana, Slovenia

30 July Vitesse Arnhem (A), 7.30pm local time, Arnhem Stadium, Netherlands

3 August Werder Bremen (A), Kick-off TBC, Wesser Stadium, Germany

10 August Ferencvaros (A), Kick-off 7.45pm, Albert Florian Stadium, Budapest, Hungary

Liverpool

16 July Brondby (A), 6pm local time, Brondby, Denmark

19 July Preston North End (A), 3pm, Deepdale

23 July Roma (N), 7.30pm EST, Boston, USA

Guinness International Champions Cup

27 July Olympiacos (N), 5pm CST, Chicago, USA

30 July Manchester City (N), 7pm EST, New York, USA

2 August AC Milan (N), 6.30pm EST, Charlotte, USA

4 August TBC (If they reach the final), TBC, Miami, USA

10 August: Borussia Dortmund (H), 12:15pm, Anfield

Manchester City

13 July Dundee (A), 4pm, Dens Park

18 July Heart of Midlothian (A), Kick-off TBC, Tynecastle

23 July Sporting Kansas (A), 8pm local time, Kansas, USA

Guinness International Champions Cup

27 July AC Milan (N), 4pm EST, Heinz Field, USA

30 July Liverpool (N), 7pm EST, New York, USA

2 August Olympiacos (N), 2pm CST, TCF Bank Stadium, USA

4 August TBC (If they reach the final), TBC, Miami, USA

Community Shield

10 August Arsenal (N), 3pm, Wembley Stadium

Manchester United

Chevrolet FC Cup

23 July Los Angeles Galaxy (N), Kick-off TBC, Pasadena, USA

Guinness International Champions Cup

26 July Roma (N), Kick-off TBC, Denver, USA

29 July Inter Milan (N), Kick-off TBC, Washington DC, USA

2 August Real Madrid (N), Kick-off TBC, Ann Arbor, USA

4 August TBC (Final), TBC, Miami, USA

Newcastle United

15 July Oldham Athletic (A), 7.30pm, Boundary Park

22 July Sydney (N), 7.30pm local time, Dunedin, New Zealand

26 July Wellington Pheonix (A), 4.30pm local time, Wellington, New Zealand

30 July Sheffield Wednesday (A), 7.45pm, Hillsborough

Schalke 04 Cup

2 August Malaga (N), 5.30pm, Veltins-Arena, Germany

3 August Schalke 04 (A), 7.30pm, Veltins-Arena, Germany

10 August Real Sociedad (H), 1.30pm, St James' Park

Tottenham Hotspur

19 July Seattle Sounders (A), 9pm, CenturyLink Field, USA

21 July Toronto (A),  midnight, BMO Field, Canada

27 July Chicago Fire (A), 1am, Toyota Park, USA

2 August Celtic (N), 2.30pm, Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Finland

9 August Schalke 04 (H), 5.30pm, White Hart Lane

Premier League 2014/15 Fixtures

16 August 2014

Arsenal v Crystal Palace

Burnley v Chelsea

Leicester City v Everton

Liverpool v Southampton

Manchester United v Swansea City

Newcastle United v Manchester City

Queens Park Rangers v Hull City

Stoke City v Aston Villa

West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland

West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur

23 August 2014

Aston Villa v Newcastle United

Chelsea v Leicester City

Crystal Palace v West Ham United

Everton v Arsenal

Hull City v Stoke City

Manchester City v Liverpool

Southampton v West Bromwich Albion

Sunderland v Manchester United

Swansea City v Burnley

Tottenham Hotspur v Queens Park Rangers

30 August 2014

Aston Villa v Hull City

Burnley v Manchester United

Everton v Chelsea

Leicester City v Arsenal

Manchester City v Stoke City

Newcastle United v Crystal Palace

Queens Park Rangers v Sunderland

Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool

West Ham United v Southampton

13 September 2014

Arsenal v Manchester City

Chelsea v Swansea City

Crystal Palace v Burnley

Hull City v West Ham United

Liverpool v Aston Villa

Manchester United v Queens Park Rangers

Southampton v Newcastle United

Stoke City v Leicester City

Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur

West Bromwich Albion v Everton

20 September 2014

Aston Villa v Arsenal

Burnley v Sunderland

Everton v Crystal Palace

Leicester City v Manchester United

Manchester City v Chelsea

Newcastle United v Hull City

Queens Park Rangers v Stoke City

Swansea City v Southampton

Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion

West Ham United v Liverpool

27 September 2014

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea v Aston Villa

Crystal Palace v Leicester City

Hull City v Manchester City

Liverpool v Everton

Manchester United v West Ham United

Southampton v Queens Park Rangers

Stoke City v Newcastle United

Sunderland v Swansea City

West Bromwich Albion v Burnley

4 October 2014

Aston Villa v Manchester City

Chelsea v Arsenal

Hull City v Crystal Palace

Leicester City v Burnley

Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion

Manchester United v Everton

Sunderland v Stoke City

Swansea City v Newcastle United

Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton

West Ham United v Queens Park Rangers

18 October 2014

Arsenal v Hull City

Burnley v West Ham United

Crystal Palace v Chelsea

Everton v Aston Villa

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur

Newcastle United v Leicester City

Queens Park Rangers v Liverpool

Southampton v Sunderland

Stoke City v Swansea City

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United

25 October 2014

Burnley v Everton

Liverpool v Hull City

Manchester United v Chelsea

Queens Park Rangers v Aston Villa

Southampton v Stoke City

Sunderland v Arsenal

Swansea City v Leicester City

Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United

West Bromwich Albion v Crystal Palace

West Ham United v Manchester City

1 November 2014

Arsenal v Burnley

Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea v Queens Park Rangers

Crystal Palace v Sunderland

Everton v Swansea City

Hull City v Southampton

Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion

Manchester City v Manchester United

Newcastle United v Liverpool

Stoke City v West Ham United

8 November 2014

Burnley v Hull City

Liverpool v Chelsea

Manchester United v Crystal Palace

Queens Park Rangers v Manchester City

Southampton v Leicester City

Sunderland v Everton

Swansea City v Arsenal

Tottenham Hotspur v Stoke City

West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United

West Ham United v Aston Villa

22 November 2014

Arsenal v Manchester United

Aston Villa v Southampton

Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion

Crystal Palace v Liverpool

Everton v West Ham United

Hull City v Tottenham Hotspur

Leicester City v Sunderland

Manchester City v Swansea City

Newcastle United v Queens Park Rangers

Stoke City v Burnley

29 November 2014

Burnley v Aston Villa

Liverpool v Stoke City

Manchester United v Hull City

Queens Park Rangers v Leicester City

Southampton v Manchester City

Sunderland v Chelsea

Swansea City v Crystal Palace

Tottenham Hotspur v Everton

West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal

West Ham United v Newcastle United

2 December 2014

Arsenal v Southampton, 7.45pm

Burnley v Newcastle United, 7.45pm

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa, 8pm

Leicester City v Liverpool, 7.45pm

Manchester United v Stoke City, 7.45pm

Swansea City v Queens Park Rangers, 7.45pm

West Bromwich Albion v West Ham United, 8pm

3 December 2014

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur, 7.45pm

Everton v Hull City, 7.45pm

Sunderland v Manchester City, 7.45pm

6 December 2014

Aston Villa v Leicester City

Hull City v West Bromwich Albion

Liverpool v Sunderland

Manchester City v Everton

Newcastle United v Chelsea

Queens Park Rangers v Burnley

Southampton v Manchester United

Stoke City v Arsenal

Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace

West Ham United v Swansea City

13 December 2014

Arsenal v Newcastle United

Burnley v Southampton

Chelsea v Hull City

Crystal Palace v Stoke City

Everton v Queens Park Rangers

Leicester City v Manchester City

Manchester United v Liverpool

Sunderland v West Ham United

Swansea City v Tottenham Hotspur

West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa

20 December 2014

Aston Villa v Manchester United

Hull City v Swansea City

Liverpool v Arsenal

Manchester City v Crystal Palace

Newcastle United v Sunderland

Queens Park Rangers v West Bromwich Albion

Southampton v Everton

Stoke City v Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur v Burnley

West Ham United v Leicester City

26 December 2014

Arsenal v Queens Park Rangers

Burnley v Liverpool

Chelsea v West Ham United

Crystal Palace v Southampton

Everton v Stoke City

Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United v Newcastle United

Sunderland v Hull City

Swansea City v Aston Villa

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City

28 December 2014

Aston Villa v Sunderland

Hull City v Leicester City

Liverpool v Swansea City

Manchester City v Burnley

Newcastle United v Everton

Queens Park Rangers v Crystal Palace

Southampton v Chelsea

Stoke City v West Bromwich Albion

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United

West Ham United v Arsenal

1 January 2015

Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

Hull City v Everton

Liverpool v Leicester City

Manchester City v Sunderland

Newcastle United v Burnley

Queens Park Rangers v Swansea City

Southampton v Arsenal

Stoke City v Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea

West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion

10 January 2015

Arsenal v Stoke City

Burnley v Queens Park Rangers

Chelsea v Newcastle United

Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur

Everton v Manchester City

Leicester City v Aston Villa

Manchester United v Southampton

Sunderland v Liverpool

Swansea City v West Ham United

West Bromwich Albion v Hull City

17 January 2015

Aston Villa v Liverpool

Burnley v Crystal Palace

Everton v West Bromwich Albion

Leicester City v Stoke City

Manchester City v Arsenal

Newcastle United v Southampton

Queens Park Rangers v Manchester United

Swansea City v Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland

West Ham United v Hull City

31 January 2015

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Chelsea v Manchester City

Crystal Palace v Everton

Hull City v Newcastle United

Liverpool v West Ham United

Manchester United v Leicester City

Southampton v Swansea City

Stoke City v Queens Park Rangers

Sunderland v Burnley

West Bromwich Albion v Tottenham Hotspur

7 February 2015

Aston Villa v Chelsea

Burnley v West Bromwich Albion

Everton v Liverpool

Leicester City v Crystal Palace

Manchester City v Hull City

Newcastle United v Stoke City

Queens Park Rangers v Southampton

Swansea City v Sunderland

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal

West Ham United v Manchester United

10 February 2015

Arsenal v Leicester City, 7.45pm

Crystal Palace v Newcastle United, 8pm

Hull City v Aston Villa, 7.45pm

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur, 8pm

Manchester United v Burnley, 7.45pm

Southampton v West Ham United, 7.45pm

West Bromwich Albion v Swansea City, 8pm

11 February 2015

Chelsea v Everton, 7.45pm

Stoke City v Manchester City, 7.45pm

Sunderland v Queens Park Rangers, 7.45pm

21 February 2015

Aston Villa v Stoke City

Chelsea v Burnley

Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Everton v Leicester City

Hull City v Queens Park Rangers

Manchester City v Newcastle United

Southampton v Liverpool

Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion

Swansea City v Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United

28 February 2015

Arsenal v Everton

Burnley v Swansea City

Leicester City v Chelsea

Liverpool v Manchester City

Manchester United v Sunderland

Newcastle United v Aston Villa

Queens Park Rangers v Tottenham Hotspur

Stoke City v Hull City

West Bromwich Albion v Southampton

West Ham United v Crystal Palace

3 March 2015

Aston Villa v West Bromwich Albion, 7.45pm

Hull City v Sunderland, 7.45pm

Liverpool v Burnley, 8pm

Queens Park Rangers v Arsenal, 7.45pm

Southampton v Crystal Palace, 7.45pm

West Ham United v Chelsea, 7.45pm

4 March 2015

Manchester City v Leicester City, 7.45pm

Newcastle United v Manchester United, 7.45pm

Stoke City v Everton, 7.45pm

Tottenham Hotspur v Swansea City, 7.45pm

14 March 2015

Arsenal v West Ham United

Burnley v Manchester City

Chelsea v Southampton

Crystal Palace v Queens Park Rangers

Everton v Newcastle United

Leicester City v Hull City

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur

Sunderland v Aston Villa

Swansea City v Liverpool

West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City

21 March 2015

Aston Villa v Swansea City

Hull City v Chelsea

Liverpool v Manchester United

Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion

Newcastle United v Arsenal

Queens Park Rangers v Everton

Southampton v Burnley

Stoke City v Crystal Palace

Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City

West Ham United v Sunderland

4 April 2015

Arsenal v Liverpool

Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea v Stoke City

Crystal Palace v Manchester City

Everton v Southampton

Leicester City v West Ham United

Manchester United v Aston Villa

Sunderland v Newcastle United

Swansea City v Hull City

West Bromwich Albion v Queens Park Rangers

11 April 2015

Burnley v Arsenal

Liverpool v Newcastle United

Manchester United v Manchester City

Queens Park Rangers v Chelsea

Southampton v Hull City

Sunderland v Crystal Palace

Swansea City v Everton

Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa

West Bromwich Albion v Leicester City

West Ham United v Stoke City

18 April 2015

Arsenal v Sunderland

Aston Villa v Queens Park Rangers

Chelsea v Manchester United

Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion

Everton v Burnley

Hull City v Liverpool

Leicester City v Swansea City

Manchester City v West Ham United

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur

Stoke City v Southampton

25 April 2015

Arsenal v Chelsea

Burnley v Leicester City

Crystal Palace v Hull City

Everton v Manchester United

Manchester City v Aston Villa

Newcastle United v Swansea City

Queens Park Rangers v West Ham United

Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur

Stoke City v Sunderland

West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool

2 May 2015

Aston Villa v Everton

Chelsea v Crystal Palace

Hull City v Arsenal

Leicester City v Newcastle United

Liverpool v Queens Park Rangers

Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion

Sunderland v Southampton

Swansea City v Stoke City

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City

West Ham United v Burnley

9 May 2015

Arsenal v Swansea City

Aston Villa v West Ham United

Chelsea v Liverpool

Crystal Palace v Manchester United

Everton v Sunderland

Hull City v Burnley

Leicester City v Southampton

Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers

Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion

Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur

16 May 2015

Burnley v Stoke City

Liverpool v Crystal Palace

Manchester United v Arsenal

Queens Park Rangers v Newcastle United

Southampton v Aston Villa

Sunderland v Leicester City

Swansea City v Manchester City

Tottenham Hotspur v Hull City

West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea

West Ham United v Everton

24 May 2015

Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion

Aston Villa v Burnley

Chelsea v Sunderland

Crystal Palace v Swansea City

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur

Hull City v Manchester United

Leicester City v Queens Park Rangers

Manchester City v Southampton

Newcastle United v West Ham United

Stoke City v Liverpool