The two goliaths go head-to-head at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Paul Scholes expressing his belief that the animosity between the two clubs will never die. Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson has extended the hand of friendship to the Merseyside club following Rafael Benitez’s departure from Anfield.

Scholes (11/1 for first goalscorer) has admitted the intense hatred between fans of the two clubs will ensure that the intensity of this fixture will always be preserved. Even when fortunes of the two sides were contrasting, that rivalry was still present.

Liverpool’s last title came 21 seasons ago whilst United had a barren spell which lasted 26 years when Liverpool were at their peak. However, despite these circumstances, the animosity endured and Scholes does not see this changing.

“You can’t get away from the fact that both teams don’t really like each other,” said the United midfielder ahead of the clash.

“We are both desperate to win and I don’t think that will ever change.”

The United boss has already described this game as ‘the’ Premier League fixture but has offered the hand of friendship to opposite number Roy Hodgson.

Generally, the relationship between the United and Liverpool managers has been cordial but this changed under Benitez, who became increasingly obsessed with Ferguson. The Spaniard claimed that the United boss was treated with kid gloves and that he escaped censure from the authorities.

Ferguson has generally not risen to the bait, the only significant war of words coming over a ‘game over’ signal during a clash against Blackburn. Speaking about his rivalry with Benitez,
Ferguson stressed: “I have never been personal. You have to examine him, not me.

“I have always enjoyed a good relationship with Liverpool managers. Both clubs have always addressed the situation properly after the games.

“That changed under the last regime. It is not a big issue for me.”

Building a more cordial relationship with Liverpool will be easier now that Roy Hodgson has assumed the hot-seat at Anfield. The two managers were friendly before the move and Ferguson has expressed his deep admiration for Hodgson due to his managerial record.

Last season, he guided former club Fulham to the Europa League final, a feat that Ferguson has described as ‘absolutely extraordinary’. He also cited his ‘wealth of experience’ in Switzerland, Finland and Italy as worthy of praise.

Ferguson still believes that the clash between United and Liverpool is the biggest of the season, even though Liverpool have rarely been title contenders in recent years. Despite this, the Merseyside outfit have inflicted some memorable defeats on the Red Devils, United’s win in March breaking a three-match losing streak against Liverpool.

United go into this match on the back of two disappointing results – a 3-3 draw against Everton in the Premier League last Saturday and a 0-0 Champions League draw against Rangers. United are already four points behind table-toppers Chelsea in the Premier League title race and will be hoping for three points from their fierce rivals on Sunday.

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Nemanja Vidic

The centre-half has been one of the best defenders in the Premier League since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2006 and there were rumours some of Europe’s top sides were preparing bids for Vidic.

Jose Mourinho was reportedly keen to add Vidic to his Real side as the Portuguese coach prepares for his first season as boss at the Bernabeu, while Barcelona and clubs in Italy and Germany have been credited with an interest in the past.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has maintained throughout the close season that he expects the 28-year-old to remain with his side and Old Trafford chief executive David Gill has now confirmed that both Vidic and the club have agreed terms on a new deal.

“I am very pleased to confirm that we agreed terms with Nemanja three or four weeks ago on a new long-term deal with the club,” Gill told MUTV. “We sat down with Nemanja and his advisor at the end of last season and started discussions. They broke up when Nemanja went away to the World Cup, but resumed when Serbia were knocked out.

“It’s yet to be signed – the paperwork is now being sorted by our lawyers and being checked by Nemanja’s advisors. He’s still away on holiday but the plan is that when he gets back the papers will be signed.

“We’ve shaken hands on it and we’re confident it will all be signed and sealed in early August. It’s great news for Manchester United  and great news for Nemanja and the fans.”

Vidic is currently resting after his World Cup campaign with Serbia but will link up with the rest of the United squad when they return from their tour of America.

United kick off their Premier League campaign with a home tie against newly-promoted Newcastle United on August 16 but first they face Chelsea in the Community Shield on August 8, with Vidic expected to face the current champions after signing a new deal (Chelsea 13/10, draw 11/5, United 2/1 – 90 minutes).

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