Manchester United-Liverpool Preview:

In a role reversal during the Premier League era, the hosts face their bitter rivals chasing a place in Europe, while the Anfield outfit are well and truly in the title race.
 

Manchester United boss David Moyes has described Sunday's clash with rivals Liverpool as "the biggest game in the Premier League".

As in recent seasons, the fixture does not pit two title rivals against one another, although this time around it is the reigning champions who have struggled to keep pace at the top rather than their Merseyside visitors.

Rodgers: Manchester United will 'suffer' without Champions League

The Northern Irishman says signing world-class players has been difficult due to the Reds' exile from Europe and believes David Moyes could encounter similar problems.
iverpool boss Brendan Rodgers expects Manchester United “will suffer” if they lose their place in the Champions League.

David Moyes’ side sit sixth in the Premier League ahead of Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford on Sunday but are nine points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, who have two games in hand.

Rodgers admits player recruitment has been hindered following Liverpool’s exile from the Champions League and believes United will face similar problems if they are not in the competition next season.

Moyes: RvP comments taken out of context

Following the Olympiakos defeat, Robin van Persie was accused of criticising his team mates because of comments in made in a post-match interview.
Van Persie claimed that some of his team-mates were “often playing in my zones” although his people quickly talked to the press about their surprise that his comments had been interpreted as a criticism.
This week, the papers have been full of reports that Van Persie is unhappy but David Moyes, who travelled back to England with Van Persie and Patrice Evra following the France vs Holland game, has dismissed those claims.
“I actually travelled back after the game, with Robin and Pat Evra,” Moyes said. “If you actually read the whole transcript I think it was taken out of context… we understand fully. Robin is a really good player and we will do everything possible to make those opportunities work for Robin. A lot of what has been said isn’t correct.”

Moyes’ Letter To Season Ticket Holders

While I knew that this job would be a challenge when I took it on, the difficult season we have experienced was not something that I envisaged, which I am sure is the case as well for you supporters – and my players, staff and I am desperate to compensate for that.
Everywhere we turn people outside the club have a lot to say about Manchester United, but we have all stuck together through some tough times this season and I firmly believe that, in the long run, we will all come out at the other end, stronger for the experiences.
Everything we need have been through will make us a better, stronger team and club in the future.
Over the years you have seen great winning sides here and, in time, I have absolutely no doubt that we will see great winning sides here again.
A big step towards that will be transforming Old Trafford back into the fortress it has long been renowned as, and we will do everything in our power to get the positive performances and results to do that, so that we can give you Season Ticket holders and all of our supporters something to shout about.

RVP wrong to label Rooney space invader

Complaints that his strike partner is cramping his style prompted by growing evidence Dutchman is struggling to make his own luck

 

A throw-away moment amid Manchester United's pursuit of a late winner at Arsenal three weeks ago provided a less than flattering commentary on Robin van Persie's claim that his "fellow players" – namely Wayne Rooney – are occupying the spaces on the pitch where he wants to play.

"When I see that, it makes it difficult for me to come to those spaces as well," Van Persie said in the aftermath of the Champions League defeat to Olympiakos, which has shorn United of what little optimism they still possessed and left manager David Moyes delivering a desperate plea to fans for patience yesterday.
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Wayne Rooney: One Champions League title is never enough

The striker insists a strong European campaign is always a priority and believes David Moyes' side can go far in the competition with his sights set on the final.

 

Wayne Rooney claims winning one Champions League title "is never enough" and believes Manchester United possess the quality to go far in the competition this season.

David Moyes’ side face Olympiakos in Greece in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie on Tuesday evening.

Rooney won his only Champions League medal to date after beating Chelsea in the 2008 final and the 28-year-old maintains his focus has always been on a successful campaign in Europe.

Moyes buoyed by 'vital' Rooney & Van Persie partnership

The Red Devils manager believes his strike duo will be decisive in big games following their return to full fitness as the club return to Champions League action this week.

 

David Moyes has backed Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie to fire Manchester United past Olympiakos on Tuesday evening.

Injuries have hampered the partnership between Rooney and Van Persie this season but the duo both struck on Saturday to secure a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

United face the Greek champions in the first leg of their round-of-16 Champions League tie in Athens and Moyes insists his first-choice pairing can be decisive for the remainder of the campaign.

Rooney proves value to Manchester United with latest moment of brilliance

The debate over whether he is worth £300,000-a-week will rumble on - but the moment of brilliance which ensured three points at Selhurst Park was priceless to David Moyes

 

Win or lose, in glory or ignominy, this otherwise unremarkable evening at Selhurst Park was always going to be about Wayne Rooney. His latest contract saga had seen the 28-year-old labelled both savvy and unselfish as he capitalised on the nadir of Manchester United’s painful post-Sir Alex Ferguson transition to line his own pockets like never before. The next time he ventured onto a football pitch, it was inevitable that Rooney’s every action would be judged with a pointedly raised level of expectation.

In the event, he neither disappointed nor surprised. Rooney’s ability to produce moments of brilliance is one of the few parts of his heavily scrutinised game that has never been in doubt.

Rooney deserves new bumper contract, says Evra

The French full-back feels the striker's decision to commit his long-term future to Manchester United is a good sign for the club and its fans.

 

Patrice Evra says Wayne Rooney “deserves to have a big contract” after the England international signed a new deal at Manchester United.

Rooney's new deal with the club is reported to be worth £300,000 [€363,000] per week and will keep him at the club until June 2019.

The striker had previously appeared keen to leave Old Trafford, with Chelsea having two bids rejected during the summer, but defender Evra says he fully deserves his new contract.

Moyes: Manchester United don't need to be the best to win Champions League

The Scot, who saw his side beat Crystal Palace 2-0 on Saturday evening, is looking to repeat Liverpool's against-the-odds march towards glory in Istanbul in 2005


Manchester United manager David Moyes believes his side can win the Champions League this season despite their poor domestic form.

The reigning Premier League holders have put up a limp defence of their title, and are currently 15 points adrift of leaders Chelsea and scrapping just to finish in the top four.

With their chances of qualifying for Europe's premier club competition dwindling, United's best hope of retaining their Champions League status could be to win the tournament – with their march towards the final getting back underway against Olympiakos on Tuesday.