United vs Liverpool From Old Trafford and Anfield Perspectives

*Moyes:AP

*Suarez:Getty images

IT’S not a derby, but it’s one of English football’s fiercest rivalries.

Manchester United. Liverpool.

The tables look like they’re about to be turned as Liverpool takes United’s spot in the top four. David Moyes’s men has the perfect chance on Sunday to make life that little bit more difficult.

Ahead of the fixture, Fox Sports football journalists Huw Bonello and David Hall don their club colours and barrack from the stands in the view from the terraces: Old Trafford v Anfield.

The Old Trafford view by Huw Bonello

There’s a famous banner that has adorned the Old Trafford terraces for years. It reads “United till I Die” and never has that adage rang more true than this, let’s say, troublesome season for Manchester United.

There’s no point sugar-coating it, we’ve been below our best. We’re probably not going to make the top four for the first time since 1990-91. That’s nearly as long as it’s been since Liverpool won the league. David Moyes and his underperforming side have been copping body blow after body blow all season long - from fans, rivals and even us in the media – but believe it or not, there’s plenty to be positive about.

The new boss was always taking up somewhat of a poisoned chalice when he was appointed by Sir Alex Ferguson himself. After all, who’d want to follow in the footsteps of the greatest manager of all time?

Moyes has handled the pressure better than expected, and he can’t be doing too badly considering United is challenging for the top four despite enduring a “season from hell”. Need reminding of Sir Alex’s early years at the helm? He was one game away from being sacked but was given faith and time and look what he achieved. The club will offer that same loyalty to Moyes in the hope he can do the same.

But such is the standard the Red Devils set for themselves that anything short of silverware is considered a failure. It’s what’s defined this great club and what’s turned it into the most successful team in English league history. But enough about history, we could write thousands of words on that. Let’s look forward to the positives, and there’s plenty.

With the stunning acquisition of Juan Mata from Chelsea and Wayne Rooney’s mega contract extension, Moyes has shown United’s troubles won’t be long-lasting. United’s glamour is still there and players want to play for the club. Combining that with the commercial success the club continues to enjoy, the Red Devils are in a position to continue to compete with the best.

It’s sad but unsurprising to see everyone savouring the club’s downfall. Tall poppy syndrome is nothing new to society and sport. But to those revelling in the woes at Old Trafford, a warning to enjoy it while it lasts. There won’t be a 20-year-drought like Sunday’s opponents, Liverpool.

Stumbles are nothing new to United, who’ve always managed to bounce back bigger and stronger than before. The players channelled the heartbreaking 2011-2012 title defeat to Manchester City to come back and win a record-breaking 20th domestic title the next season.

We won’t win the league this season but we can achieve the next best thing by stopping Liverpool and Manchester City doing so. It starts against the reds at Anfield this weekend. Form goes out the window in these clashes as Steven Gerrard and his SAS will find out quickly.

I leave you with the wise words Sir Alex Ferguson spoke about David Moyes when bowing out at the end of last season: “I’d also like to remind you that when I had bad times here the club stood by me. All my staff stood by me, the players stood by me, you stood by me, and your job now is to stand by our new manager. That is important.”

We should listen to the gman. He knew a thing or two.

The Anfield view by David Hall

Finally, this is how things should be: Liverpool battling for a title, United suffering as they fail to meet expectations. This is the natural order in English football.

OK, I’ll admit this view might be a bit out of date. But if anyone’s well placed to tell you that nothing lasts forever and all empires inevitabely crumble, it’s a Liverpool fan. The Reds are at the stage now where United were before they won their first Premier League title back in 1992. More than two decades have passed since we last claimed the England title – which as any Reds fan will tell you is ours by right – and now we understand the pain United went through during their wilderness years.

But the tables have turned this year and surely I’m not alone in hoping this is just the beginning of a new era – of stylish Liverpool success and United eating humble pie.

Liverpool are everyone’s second team this season. Brendan Rodgers has built a team that you just can’t help but love watching. They’re not the finished product yet, with some obvious defensive problems, but even those issues can’t disguise the sheer brilliance produced going forward.

That demolition of Arsenal at Anfield was arguably the best first-half of football the Premier League has seen in three years, with energy, vision, creativity all topped off with a lethal eye for goal. We are the Premier League’s true entertainers.

United, on the other hand, have been dismal. A club that has always specialised in the dramatic – the Theatre of Dreams should really be called the Theatre of Drama Queens – has only created headlines by their own shoddiness.

This is, without a doubt, the worst Manchester United team I have seen since, well, since Alex Ferguson took over. There was always going to be a power vacuum once the dark lord gave up his throne but no one quite expected for it to collapse so suddenly. How this team ever won the league last year is beyond me. They are woeful.

David Moyes – if he’s still around next term – will have to spend record amounts to get United anywhere near a title challenge next season, assuming he can convince anyone to join the dying empire when they miss out on the Champions League.

I don’t believe Liverpool will win the title this season – Chelsea are far too consistent to let it go now – but the fact we have made such rapid progress under Rodgers shows the club is going in the right direction. Claiming United’s spot in the Champions League will only better equip Liverpool to sign a higher quality of player and to keep hold of Luis Suarez, now recognised as one of the best on the planet.

The years of pain and the nature of Manchester United v Liverpool is stopping me from getting too carried away about the damage we could inflict at Old Trafford this weekend – but a sneaking part of me can’t wait to see Sturridge, Suarez, Sterling and co tear into that awful United midfield and defence. And I know United fans fear the same thing. David Moyes never had any joy against us at Everton. I don’t think he’s going to do much better here.

United fans of certain age won’t be able to accept this change of circumstance because they’ve never witnessed an Old Trafford team this poor before. But I have, and it’s a long road back to the top. Better get used to it, United. Liverpool are back on top.

-FOXSPORTS