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De Gea stars as Man Utd deepen Liverpool gloom

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea makes a save from Liverpool's Raheem Sterling during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England December 14, 2014. (Reuters)

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea makes a save from Liverpool's Raheem Sterling during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England December 14, 2014. (Reuters)

Van Gaal has often opted to use the 29-year-old in midfield, instead of his usual position as a centre-forward. (Getty)

Van Gaal has often opted to use the 29-year-old in midfield, instead of his usual position as a centre-forward. (Getty)

Published
By Football Correspondent and Agencies

Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie scored as Manchester United rubbed salt into Liverpool's wounds with a crushing 3-0 home victory in the Premier League on Sunday.

Rooney and Mata both found the net before half-time, the latter apparently from an offside position, before van Persie added a third to avenge United's loss to Liverpool by the same scoreline at Old Trafford in March.

Victory, United's sixth in a row, allowed Louis van Gaal's side to move back to within eight points of leaders Chelsea and five of champions Manchester City, fuelling hopes of a slow-burning title push.

"I think we have scored wonderful goals," United manager van Gaal told Sky Sports.

"In spite of the goals, we gave a lot of chances away. That was every time we gave unnecessary passes away and that is how we have to improve."

United's fans finished the game by chanting "You're getting sacked in the morning!" at Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers, whose side limped out of the Champions League in mid-week and now trail United by 10 points.

But Liverpool might have emerged from the game with more credit had it not been for a stunning display by United goalkeeper David de Gea, who denied Raheem Sterling and substitute Mario Balotelli three times each.

"We created so many chances today and David de Gea was man of the match," said Rodgers.

"Today we created opportunities, which we haven't been doing. I'll keep searching for the solutions."

Rodgers had reacted to the poor form of his own goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, by dropping him in favour of Brad Jones, and the Australian's presence on the pitch at kick-off was not the only novelty.

Both teams lined up with three-man defences, with midfielder Michael Carrick marshalling United's back line and Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson playing in a narrower role than usual.

De Gea was presented with United's player of the month award prior to kick-off and he demonstrated his value to van Gaal in the 12th minute by sliding out to thwart Sterling from Adam Lallana's incisive pass.

Within a minute, United were ahead. Antonio Valencia left Joe Allen chasing shadows with a cute nutmeg on the right flank before cutting the ball back for the unmarked Rooney to sweep home from 15 yards.

With Rickie Lambert named on the bench alongside the fit-again Balotelli, it was left to Sterling to give Liverpool a cutting edge.

The England forward, who turned 20 this week, teed up Steven Gerrard for a low shot that De Gea saved comfortably and then left Phil Jones for dead inside the United box, only for the Spaniard to deny him at the near post.

Just as in their 2-1 win at Southampton last Monday, United had gone ahead against the run of play, and Liverpool's cause was not helped when Johnson went off holding his groin in the 25th minute. Kolo Toure replaced him.

There was more woe to come as United inflated their lead five minutes before half-time with a goal that carried more than a hint of injustice.

Van Persie's head made only fleeting contact with Ashley Young's left-wing cross, but it meant that Mata, who followed in to head home at the back post, was offside. Unfortunately for Liverpool, the officials missed it.

Rodgers sent on Balotelli for Lallana at half-time, but the visitors continued to misfire in the United box.

Jordan Henderson headed over from a Sterling cross and when Jonny Evans's careless square pass gave Sterling a free run on goal, a heavy touch took him wide and De Gea sped out to dismay him again.

Seconds later Van Persie gave Rooney a sight of goal at the other end, only for the captain to shoot tamely at Jones, while the Dutchman then prodded wide from Valencia's drilled cross.

De Gea superbly palmed a close-range shot from Balotelli onto the crossbar to leave Rodgers ruing his luck again and in the 71st minute it was all over.

Dejan Lovren did not get enough purchase on his attempt to clear Rooney's low cross and Mata cleverly teed up Van Persie to brush home his fourth goal in four games.

Still De Gea stood firm, saving twice from Balotelli in the latter stages, while Jones tipped a shot from Van Persie over the bar.

Full time

Man Utd 3 (Rooney 12" Mata 40" van Persie 71") Liverpool 0

 


90+3" Man of the match De Gea has the final say calmly collecting a corner from Henderson.

90" Three minutes of stoppage time have been added.

89" Jones makes way for McNair as United prepare to take a free kick with Falcao hitting the wall twice.

87" Van Persie goes close with Jones tipping a chip shot over the bar from the Dutchman.

85" Balotelli fails to find the net as De Gea saves with his legs from a close range effort.

84" Balotelli fires a pile driver just wide after Sterling steals back possesion while Gerrard is booked for an earlier tackle on Van Persie.

82" De Gea makes yet another save blocking a shot from Balotelli after a fine pass from Henderson.

80" Liverpool look deflated now as rampant United run circles around them.

79" Jones somehow manages to deny van Persie smothering his shot after he breaks into the box.

78" Falcao replaces Rooney as rain pours again.

75" United have been the better finished and counter attacked brilliantly against terrible defending by Liverpool.

74" Yellow! Balotelli is booked for needlessly hauling back Jones.

73" Liverpool are enjoying 61 per cent of possession but United are cruising to victory after Robin van Persie scores his seventh goal in his last 10 Premier League games.


Man Utd 3 (Rooney 12" Mata 40" van Persie 71") Liverpool 0

71" GOAL! Robin van Persie slides the ball inside the near post after a break by Mata.

Rooney plays the ball across and Lovren scuffs a panicked clearance straight to Mata who finds van Persie.

70" Wilson is replaced by Herrera for United.

68" Markovic replaces Moreno for Liverpool.

67" De Gea makes another brilliant save with his finger tips off a chip kick by Balotelli after being picked out by Sterling.

64" Van Persie misses with a flick just wide of the near post after a fine pass from Valencia.

62" Falcao is seen warming up while Liverpool enjoy a spell of possession before Valencia secures a goal kick.

60" Liverpool are attacking with intensity but fail to penetrate.

57" Balotelli hits straight to the wall from a free kick.

56" Balotelli makes a dash and attempts an extravagant shot from 40 yards out.

54" Van Persie is seeing more of the ball now being hauled down by Balotelli earlier and being cramped for room by Liverpool.

52" Rooney almost scores again after Sterling's miss with Van Persie putting him through.

51" Sterling bungles a golden opportunity with only De Gea to beat puncing on a terrible back pass from Young.

50" Mata's free kick is cleared by Toure while Balotelli attempts to launch a counter attack.

48" Fellaini is in discomfort after colliding with Moreno during an aerial challenge.

47" Sterling fine cross is headed over the bar by Henderson without troubling De Gea.

46" United get the second half under way.

Balotelli is warming up for Liverpool and he has come on for Lallana.

HALF TIME

Man Utd 2 (Rooney 12" Mata 40") Liverpool 0

Rooney struck with a clean powerful strike while United doubled their lead before half-time 2-0 with a contentious low header by Mata while Sterling with three attempts at goal for Liverpool.

 

 


45" Gerrard's free kick from a dangerous position is cleared away while Sterling goes down. The corner kick also fails to bear fruit.

44" YELLOW! Rooney is also booked by referee Atkinson for a cynical foul on Coutinho.

42" Sterling's third attempt with a header in front of goal is collected by De Gea.

Man Utd 2 (Rooney 12" Mata 40") Liverpool 0

40" GOAL! Mata scores with a low diving header off a lovely cross from Young which is nicked by Van Persie.

38" Jones scrambles to make a save but Liverpool continue to enjoy spell of possession without making headway.

36" YELLOW! Evans is also booked for a body check on Coutinho.

34" Liverpool force a corner after a lovely ball from MOreno but Allen's shot comes up against a wall of defenders.

30" Young and Mata line up for the free kick which is taken by the Spaniard and put away by Allen.

29" Rooney's corner is headed by Skrtel and as United regroup Allen is booked for standing his ground and blocking Valencia.

27" United on the hunt with Valencia floating the ball dangerously with Mata and Van Persie lurking.

25" Liverpool have been forced into a substitution with Kolo Toure coming in for Glen Johnson.

23" Sterling is denied again from an acute angle by De Gea and the corner is cleared.

21" YELLOW! Jones is booked for a robust challenge on Coutinho.

20" Rooney is fouled by Coutinho at the halfway mark as Liverpool seem to have lost their rythm after the goal.

18" Gerrard makes a good attempt with a long range shot with De Gea gathering.

16" Liverpool paid the price for not marking Rooney who sidefoots powerfully past Jones.

 


Man Utd 1 (Rooney 12") Liverpool 0

12" GOAL! Rooney has struck with a clean strike off a Valencia cross after Sterling's shot is blocked by De Gea after Lallana sends him through at the other end.

10" Liverpool have had 66% of possession so far while Valencia's cross is headed away as United make their first foray.

8" United have yet to get going despite Fellaini charging around and making an interception.

6" Liverpool are knocking the ball around in midfield.

4" Yellow for Fellaini for a clumsy challenge on Lallana as Liverpool attack on the left.

2" Lallana earns Liverpool their first corner from Phil Jones inside 40 seconds and Skrtel gets a foot to it while Gerrard keeps up the pressure before Valencia clears.

1" Liverpool get the match under way.

We are minutes away from the kick-off at Old Trafford.

Liverpool are in their yellow away shirts this afternoon.

"Michael Carrick will bring in experience, he can see all the pitch and will spray the long passes around - he is very good at that. But I don't think he will shore Manchester United up defensively and that is what they need. They are conceding too many goals," says former England captain Alan Shearer on BBC Radio.

 


Rodgers on leaving Mignolet out: "I felt we needed a change. Simon's played a lot of games and the rest will do him good"

 

"Radamel Falcao is fit to start. We need James Wilson in this match because of his speed," says Van Gaal

Mignolet is on the bench for Liverpool while teenage striker Wilson starts for United.


Starting XI


Man United: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Evans, Young, Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Rooney, van Persie, Wilson.

Subs: Lindegaard, McNair, Blackett, Herrera, Fletcher, Januzaj, Falcao.


Liverpool: Jones, Skrtel, Lovren, Johnson, Moreno, Henderson, Allen, Gerrard, Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling.


Subs: Mignolet, Toure, Lambert, Lucas, Can, Balotelli, Markovic.


Only Chelsea (six times) have won at Old Trafford more often than Liverpool (five) in Premier League history.

Probable formations

Man United 3-4-1-2
Liverpool 4-2-3-1

Team news

Striker Mario Balotelli 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 Basle.

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.

 

 

 

 

 


Teams

Manchester United (from): De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos, Vermijl, Rojo, Smalling, Blackett, Thorpe, Evans, Jones, McNair, Rafael, Pereira, Fletcher, Valencia, Lingard, Fellaini, Anderson, Carrick, Young, Herrera, Mata, Januzaj, Falcao, Rooney, Van Persie, W Keane.

Liverpool (from): Mignolet, Johnson, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno, Lucas, Henderson, Lallana, Gerrard, Sterling, Lambert, Jones, Manquillo, Enrique, Toure, Can, Coutinho, Allen, Markovic, Balotelli, Borini.

Manchester United and Liverpool will remind themselves what top billing in the Premier League feels like when they lock horns for the 191st time at Old Trafford on Sunday.

 


Chelsea and Manchester City seem destined to duke it out for this season's title, but contests between United and Liverpool often serve to show why it is their rivalry that remains the most enduring in English football.

United's run of five consecutive wins has seen them climb to third place in the table, eight points behind league leaders Chelsea and five points below defending champions City.

 


But although Liverpool are seven points back in ninth place, United manager Louis van Gaal is aware that his side's recent momentum could collapse swiftly if they do not approach Sunday's game correctly.

"I dream for Manchester City's place or Chelsea's place," the Dutchman told MUTV.

"Now we have to live match for match and that is the most important thing. We have to beat Liverpool, which is more important than thinking about City or Chelsea."

He added: "Of course I am aware of the rivalry. Even on the (pre-season) tour of the United States, all my staff were saying that to me.

"We have a cook whose name is Mike and when I don't know about anything to do with United and rival clubs, he shall say it! He's a big United fan and I hear immediately from him."



Liverpool completed a home-and-away double on their last visit to Old Trafford in March, sweeping to a one-sided 3-0 win in which Steven Gerrard scored two penalties and saw a third come back off the post.


But it is United who are on the up now, with Monday's slipshod 2-1 win at Southampton leaving them six points and six places better off than at this stage last season, when David Moyes was manager.

Liverpool are nine points and seven places worse off than they were this time last year, and go into the game having been eliminated from the Champions League following a 1-1 draw against Swiss champions Basel at a mournful Anfield on Tuesday.

"All you can do is affect what is happening inside your club and on the training ground and work even harder to turn it around," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told his pre-match press conference.

"If we can do that, then of course the attitude changes. The only way you can do that is by winning games and performing well and that is our attitude to move forward for the rest of the season."

The injury problems that have bedevilled United since the start of the season are finally clearing, with Angel di Maria, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling the only confirmed absentees for Sunday's match.

Defenders Phil Jones and Rafael da Silva are both in contention to start after two months on the sidelines with, respectively, shin and groin problems.

Robin van Persie, meanwhile, will be gunning for his fourth goal in four games after netting twice at Southampton.

Rodgers has also received good news on the injury front after Mario Balotelli returned to training.

The Italy striker has not played since November 8 due to a groin injury that he sustained on international duty.

Midfielder Adam Lallana is also expected to be named in the match-day squad despite having broken two ribs a week ago, while centre-back Kolo Toure could feature after missing the Basel game with a groin problem.

Former United captain Gary Neville joked that Sunday's game would be akin to a pub league fixture after watching his old side edge Southampton despite mustering only three attempts on goal.


But with United scenting blood, Old Trafford sold out, and a guaranteed global television audience of millions, it promises to crackle with all the electricity of previous encounters.

 

 

 

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