Terrace Talk

Since 2004 the upsurge in United’s fortunes has been founded on defensive solidity centered around Rio Ferdinand. Only allowing 5 league goals at Old Trafford this season testifies to his importance in the current campaign and further underlines his importance to United’s retention of the Premiership trophy. His absence tomorrow would be a massive blow to United and will play a major part in not only the way the punters place their bets, but in the confidence level of each team moving forward.

Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that he would wait for Friday’s training to decide the availability of Rio Ferdinand and Edwin van der Sar, who is also questionable ahead of Sunday. If Rio Ferdinand indeed does not play, Gerard Pique will deputize, while Tomasz Kuszczak will most likely fill-in for the Dutchman. Both replacements do not inspire the most confidence for United fans, however Liverpool will have to deal with their own defensive headaches. David Agger will be on his third metatarsal surgery and missing from the scouse line-up. A defensive line made up of Carragher, Finnan, Hyypia, Aurelio, Skrtel, Arbeloa and/or Riise screams of defensive sluggishness and only the covering Mascherano can truly hope to keep up with United’s offensive horsepower. While all are very experienced defenders (a trait that has provided Gary Neville longevity against far faster opponents), it is a weakness that is not often enough exploited by Liverpool opposition.

Liverpool come into the contest winning their last seven games and brimming with confidence. United who have a penchant for popping opposition bubbles will surely be up for the task. It is a guarantee that at least Sir Alex is up for the game and will be looking to keep his unbeaten league record against Rafa Benitez, who will be looking to pop a United bubble that has them three points clear at the top of the league table. There is a massive amount at stake with this game and without a doubt, will be a major deciding factor in whether this season can be considered a success for either team ahead of key Premiership and Champions League matches.

With matches still to come against the Gunners and Chelsea, United know the race is far from over. Ronaldo who recently beat George Best’s record for most goals by a winger in a United shirt told MUTV

“We don’t have a big advantage and we need to think about results but we are playing fantastically and we are in good form….We are three in front of Arsenal and five of Chelsea and we have to keep going like that but we are in a good moment.”

United clearly are wary of the threat Liverpool pose, however they don’t have the statistics on their side.

Liverpool have only taken one point against United in their last seven games and have only scored a single goal. Fernando Torres will be crucial to changing the tide, and if there was ever a time for them to do so, it would be now without Rio Ferdinand taking part.

Another striker that could be pivotal is Wayne Rooney who has yet to score against the scousers in red. Rooney’s last Old Trafford goal came as far back as October; a statistic that does not concern the ever confident Sir Alex Ferguson.

“The season is not finished yet,” Ferguson said. “He showed his real form towards the end of last season, when he scored important goals for us.

“So he is well capable of getting beyond 20 goals again.

“I think all strikers, particularly young strikers, when they are not scoring start wondering where the next goal is coming from and when they are scoring they think it is not going to end.

“I see that time and time again - he isn’t any different. All the strikers have that confidence factor in their make-up and they need that when they are scoring.

“I think that with Wayne, by the end of the season, he’ll score more than 20.”

The man no one is talking about currently is Carlos Tevez, who has increasingly been rested of late, ahead of key matches domestically and abroad. His place is almost assured tomorrow and he may be the “X” factor that will decide the title.