Source: Telegraph
Manchester United v Liverpool: Wayne Rooney's 'hate' comment fuels rivalry
Manchester United v LiverpoolKick-off: Sat Mar 14, 12.45pm; Old Trafford, ManchesterTV: Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports HD1Radio: BBC Radio Five Live [LNB]With Liverpool trailing United by seven points, and United also having a game in hand, anything less than victory for the visitors will end their already moribund title aspirations. [LNB] Related ArticlesManchester United v Liverpool: Game Zone[LNB]Papers: Capello's warning to top four[LNB]Rooney wants to halt 'hated' Liverpool[LNB]This is Anfield Real Madrid, better luck next time[LNB]Man Utd 2 Inter Milan 0 Agg 2-0[LNB]Manchester United v Liverpool: Sir Alex Ferguson understands Wayne Rooney[LNB]Matches between the two clubs are always spiky affairs, even more so when so much is at stake, and United officials were embarrassed that they allowed Rooney's comments to be published. [LNB]'I'm very excited about the game because I grew up as an Everton fan hating Liverpool.' Rooney said. 'And that hasn't changed! [LNB]'We're in pole position in the title race and we know if we can beat Liverpool, then that will more or less end their chances of winning the League.'[LNB]The quotes came from an MUTV interview that has not been broadcast, but a transcript was obtained by the website and posted in Thursday night, before being hurriedly taken down again. [LNB]'In advance of the game we felt this was the best option,' said a club spokesman. [LNB]'The comments are open to wilful misreporting and neither the club, nor Wayne wanted that to happen.' [LNB]With United favourites to secure a third title in a row the unappetising prospect for Liverpool fans is that defeat on Saturday, whilst condemning them to another season without the one prize they crave above all others, will also move United a step closer to equalling their English record of 18 titles. [LNB]'If we can beat Liverpool it will almost certainly put them out of the title race and that will be great for everybody at Old Trafford – especially me. I get a bigger kick out of beating Liverpool than anybody else,' said Rooney. [LNB]'No other game is ever going to get in the way of Manchester United-Liverpool because it is always a massive fixture and especially so this time, with what is at stake. [LNB]'Liverpool have put up a great challenge this season, but it would be nice if we could end that challenge at our place.'[LNB]United, of course, have even grander ambitions than that this season, with an unprecedented quintuple still a possibility. [LNB]With the Carling Cup already won along with the World Club championship, United are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and semi-finals of the FA Cup, as well as holding their commanding lead in the league. [LNB]'It will be a great achievement if we can win the League a third year on the run, especially after Chelsea won it two years running,' said Rooney. [LNB]'They were making it hard to see anyone else winning it for a while, but we have bounced back as a club and as a quality team. So if we can do it again this season, it will be a great feeling. [LNB]'Winning five trophies is still possible, though. We know it's going to be tough, but that's why we have the squad and we will need it.'[LNB]Team news: [LNB]United (probable, 4-4-2): Van der Sar; Neville, Vidic, Ferdinand, evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Park; Rooney, Berbatov. [LNB]Missing: Brown (ankle/foot), Rafael (ankle/foot), Hargreaves (knee).Top scorer: Ronaldo 12.Discipline: R: 2. Y: 48. [LNB]Liverpool (probable, 4-2-3-1): Reina; Arbeloa. Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio; Alonso, Mascherano; Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel; Torres. [LNB]Missing: Agger (back), Degen (toe). Top scorer: Gerrard 9.Discipline: R: 0. Y: 39. [LNB]Referee: A Wiley. Games: 20. R: 1. Y: 52. Ave: 2.65. [LNB]Stat attack: Liverpool have an incentive: in September, they won 2-1 at Anfield and have the chance to record their first home and away League 'double' over United for the first time since the 2001-02 season when they won 3-1 at Anfield and 1-0 at Old Trafford. [LNB]Last Five League Meetings: [LNB]2007-2008 (PL): United 3 Liverpool 0 2006-2007 (PL): United 2 Liverpool 0 2005-2006 (PL): United 1 Liverpool 0 2004-2005 (PL): United 2 Liverpool 1 2003-2004 (PL): United 0 Liverpool 1 [LNB]
