Rio Ferdinand believes it is important Manchester United beat arch-rivals Liverpool (19/5 – 90 minutes) on Sunday as they bid to kick start their Premier League campaign.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s team have dropped four points in their last two Premier Leagues matches away from Old Trafford, throwing away leads late on.

Fulham scored an injury-time equaliser to take a point at Carven Cottage before the international break, while Everton hit the back of the net twice after the 90 minute mark to secure a 3-3 draw.

United’s patchy domestic form also transferred to the Champions League in midweek when they were unable to break down a resilient Rangers side in Tuesday’s goalless draw.

The Red Devils now face their biggest rivals on Sunday looking for only their second win in five matches.

Despite beating Steaua Bucharest 4-1 on Thursday night in the Europa League Liverpool’s own form heading into the game hasn’t been good.

They have won just one of their first four matches, tasting defeat on their first visit to Manchester when City pummelled them 3-0 in August.

Liverpool’s recent record at Old Trafford isn’t great, winning just one of their last five visits to the Theatre of Dreams.

However, form could well go out the window for this clash and both sides will be hoping they can take the three points which could be the catalyst to a good season.

Ferdinand says its important United (3/1 Premier League outright) are the team that comes out on top as he believes it will be the morale boosting victory Ferguson’s team are looking for.

“This kind of game is always good for galvanising spirit and belief,” said Ferdinand.

“You would be beating one of your closest rivals, so to win this game would be great for team morale.

“Hopefully it will put us on the crest of a wave.”

Ferdinand is likely to be one of a handful of players who keeps his place in the United team from the one that disappointed against Rangers on Tuesday.

Liverpool and United made a boat load of changes for their respective European matches but are likely to bring back the big guns for Sunday.

The Reds left out Steven Gerrard (11/4 to score anytime on Sunday) and Fernando Torres (2/1) on Thursday, while Dimitar Berbatov (11/8) and Paul Scholes (10/3) watched from the stands against Rangers.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has said he believes his decision to rest his star duo will be proven to be the right one, while his counter-part Ferguson is likely to field his strongest possible side after being criticised for making 10 changes on Tuesday.

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