Rio Ferdinand

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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Ferdinand was sent for a scan on the injury and, after limping away from the hospital on crutches, it appeared the Manchester United defender had picked up a serious problem.

It was then subsequently confirmed that he would miss England’s campaign – which gets underway against USA a week on Saturday – in what is a major blow to coach Fabio Capello’s plans (England to win 2-1 – 7/1).

Ferdinand was expected to partner John Terry at the heart of the England defence but now the Italian will have to find his replacement with Ledley King, Jamie Carragher and the now called-up Michael Dawson in contention for a starting berth.

The injury will come as a shock to the England camp just a day into their preparations for the tournament but gives Dawson, who narrowly missed out on Capello’s final 23-man squad, the chance to earn his first cap later this month.

Ferdinand has struggled with several injury problems of late and a combination of back and calf problems meant he missed large chunks of the season with Manchester United in the season that has just finished.

He was set to figure in his fourth World Cup but now faces up to the prospect of cheering his team-mates on from the sidelines with Liverpool star Steven Gerrard ready to be promoted to skipper for the campaign.

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The 31-year-old made only 24 appearances for club and country this season having been troubled by back and leg problems throughout the campaign.

There had been suggestions England coach Fabio Capello could leave Ferdinand at home should he fail to prove his fitness before the end of the domestic campaign.

However, the Italian has backtracked on his previous promise of only taking fit players to South Africa and has now stated that some players were too important to leave behind.

Ferdinand appears to fall into that bracket having been in and out of the Manchester United side as the season came to a conclusion.

The former Leeds and West Ham defender has said he went to see a back specialist two weeks ago to discover whether he would be hampered by the long-standing problem when he went away on England (13/5 to be the Top European team) duty.

Ferdinand now believes his injury problems are behind him and is looking forward to leading his country for the first time at an international tournament.

“It has been a frustrating time but you’ve got to get on with it,” said the Three Lions skipper.

“Hopefully now I’m coming out the back end of it and, fingers crossed, I will not get any more injuries.”

Capello’s 30-man squad will head to a training camp in Austria in four days time to begin their preparations for the World Cup before they face Mexico and Japan in two pre-tournament friendly matches.

England then play their first group match against the USA (5/1 to beat England – 90 minutes market) on June 12 and Ferdinand says it will be a dream to come true to lead his nation out at a World Cup.

“It’s every kid’s dream (to be captain). It’s an incredible honour and I think it will only sink in when the time comes.”

Ferdinand’s statement comes a day after an injury scare involving his central defensive partner John Terry, reports emerging on Wednesday the Chelsea star had broken a metatarsal in training.

However, the 29-year-old has undergone a scan which gave him the all clear and is now back training with the Blues ahead of their FA Cup final against Portsmouth on Saturday.

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