Man Utd v Liverpool preview

United wait on Rooney; Meireles could return for Reds

Rarely has an FA Cup third round match carried as much significance as Liverpool journey to Old Trafford to face arch-rivals Manchester United.

Lips were licked furiously when the two most decorated clubs in the land were pitted against each other in late November.

The last time these English superpowers met in the cup, it was the Reds who were triumphant thanks to Peter Crouch's winner in the year that the Merseysiders would go on to lift the famous trophy.

But the current Anfield side look a shadow from the team that beat West Ham United in the famous 2006 showpiece and have it all to prove when they head to the Theatre of Dreams this weekend.

Both sides suffered embarrassing, if not humiliating exits in the FA Cup last term and they will be doing everything in their powers to avoid another early knock-out.

United, who fell victim to Leeds last season, enter Sunday's blockbuster boasting formidable form, with just one defeat in all competitions and they sit top of the pile in the Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men would love nothing more than to get one over their bitter rivals and the Red Devils have still to fully avenge the 4-1 humbling Liverpool gave them at Old Trafford in 2008.

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