Manchester United against Liverpool

And they've been well beaten. It's hard to remember a touch for Van Der Sar aside from the foul on him by Crouch.

Long ball tactics now, Crouch and Kuyt should be dominant, but Liverpool are beaten.

Good ball, but Gerrard couldn't keep the header down from just outside the six-yard box.

Giggs fouls Kuyt down in the right corner. They need a good ball in now.

Reina collects as O'Shea tries to cross. Ever since the first goal, Liverpool haven't looked like challenging United. Its been a really poor performance from from the Scousers today.

Gerrard still trying to bolster Liverpool, but United are snuffing out their attacks with ease.

Van Der Sar slices his clearance. That should boost Liverpool, but they've lost their desire now.

Great cross from Riise, Crouch put a boot in to Vidic as he went for the goal, the defender was trying to get the England man sent off. No card and no foul.

Liverpool look like a beaten team. There's little they can do.

Yellow card for Crouch as he closes down Van Der Sar.That's the most interesting thing to happen to the Dutch 'keeper all afternoon.

As does that... Gerrard takes on the shot from 30 yards and nearly puts it out for a throw in.

Pennant trips over the ball and knocks it out for a throw. That sums up Liverpool's day.

The crowd are cheering every touch now for United. Liverpool are being overrun.

United look comfortable, Van der Sar hasn't had a save to make

What a great run from Ryan Giggs. No-one could stop him as he charged through the defence, Rooney eventually got in his way but Giggs has looked really sharp today.

Scholes gets back and tackles Pennant.

Gerrard trying to pull the strings. Crouch loses out with his first touch.

Gerrard finally settles into the centre of midfield.

Alonso comes off, Crouch on.

Crouch ready to come on, but will be be able to spark Liverpool into life and get them back into this game?

Giggs running at Finnan, he does look good. Vidic is booked for a foul on Kuyt.

Crouch warming up, as the linesman loses his flag.

Rooney bursts down the right but Sissoko gets back well.

Incredible strike by Ferdinand. Carragher was struggling with injury, but United took full advantage.

GOAL: Great cross with his right foot from Giggs, the ball bounces across the box. Rio Ferdinand brings the ball down and smashes it into the top left hand corner with his left foot. What a strike from the defender.

Saha finds space on the edge of the box, Carragher blocks the shot well.

Sissoko being forced to go down the right because Gerrard has come infield. Carragher is down injured. He looks hurt, ankle injury.

Gerrard trying to slide the ball through, difficult ball though. He looks like he's trying too hard.

Gerrard with a wonderful ball over the top to Garcia. Van der Sar stayed put and Garcia's header was weak!

A very poor passing game in this second half. Both teams need something extra to add some spice, but United will be the happier of the two.

Ferdinand just kicks it out into touch. Poor play again.

Sissoko has to be careful. He's already on a yellow and he's steaming around the pitch.

Garcia, Gerrard and Pennant are all drfiting around. Kuyt hasn't had a touch all half.

United snaffle possession again. Only Saha is up front though.

Poor miskick by Finnan, but Carragher just manages to clear. Liverpool look in disarray when going forwards.

Poor tackle from Gerrard on Evra. He's looking busy, but he's restricted on the right hand side.

Gerrard has come inside, perhaps against the manager's wishes. He wins the ball from Scholes and Garcia runs into trouble while trying to get off a shot.

Sissoko breaks and loses out before he can pass. Pennant cuts inside, but his pass goes astray again. Liverpool can't seem to put a set of passes together.

Garcia gives it away when Gerrard was free. Awful play from Liverpool again.

Great ball from Scholes to Fletcher. No-one in the middle for the cross

United building an attack very well. But Pennant eventually breaks it up.

Gerrard stays on the right, Pennant playing down the left. Gerrard looked disappointed to see he was staying put.

Pennant comes on for the disappointing Gonzalez.

Rooney sets it up for Scholes. But his shot is hit well wide.

Evra links well with Saha. Sissoko took the ball cleanly but the ref blows up. Bad decision.

Liverpool careless in possession. But then Neville and Fletcher get in a mess and give it away as well. Scrappy start to the second half so far.

Poor play by Gonzalez again, fails to link with Garcia.

Neville's cross cleared by Finnan, Saha picks it up but drags his shot wide

Fletcher does well, twisting and turning. His work rate is very impressive.

Giggs runs at Finnan, but the defender does well

No changes at the half, Crouch stays one the bench and Gerrard still looks like playing on the right.

Liverpool kick off

Half time

Alonso fires it a shot. Way wide. United will be happy with the half so far.

Garcia crosses, but Vidic heads clear

Far too congested in the Liverpool midfield. There was a chance of a break, but it got busy and Riise fired a wayward shot in.

Excellent ball from Finnan, but Kuyt didn't look up before crossing.

Liverpool looking shaky. They can't afford to concede again. Evra is caught offside.

Good save from the Spanish keeper. Fletcher nearly muscles his way through, but Riise blocked him off.

Giggs popping up on the right, Saha gets possession and goes for the shot. Oh so close, Reina just got his fingertips on it.

United settle the play down, they'll be happy going into the break with a lead.

Gerrard trying to run the show now for Liverpool. Scholes was left totally alone in the box for Giggs' cross.

GOAL. Paul Scholes crowns his 500th appearances for the club with a goal. Rooney fed Giggs and Scholes was totally unmarked in the centre. Awful defending by Liverpool, what a gift of a goal.

Kuyt deflects the mishit shot by Garcia into the path of Gonzalez, but he mishits the shot. Terrible again by the winger. Another chance goes begging.

Gerrard's corner is poor. But there's no-one up the field for United.

High ball across by Kuyt, Gonzalez brings it down and shoots over the bar, it was deflected as Fletcher caught him on the follow through.

Fletcher with a terrible touch gives it away to Gonzalez. Neville was out of position, but Ferdinand recovers and makes the block. Wasted chance by the youngster.

Giggs feeds Scholes, but the shot was blocked easily.

Alonso fouls again, he must be close to being booked.

Riise handles, but nothing given.

Now the chances are coming!

Saha spins away and runs at the defence. Neville crosses it and Saha heads the ball onto his own shoulder. Reina gets there before Rooney.

Great chance for Liverpool. A peach of a cross from Gonzalez, Kuyt heads it weakly to Van Der Saar. He should have done a lot better than that.

Carrick plays it over the top to Rooney, but Hyypia takes it off the striker's foot.

A lot of congestion in the centre of the field has meant both Rooney and Gerrard have lacked any time on the ball.

Gerrard losing out, he's not having much of an impact so far. Neville reads the pass well again.

Gonzalez breaks and hits the worst shot in history, which Kuyt keeps in by the corner flag. He was in a good position but panicked when he saw the goalposts.

Poll has finally used the yellow, and the game is coming to life.

Now its getting tasty. Fletcher goes in on Sissoko, Sissoko then fouls Scholes and picks up a yellow card.

Haven't seen Kuyt for the past 10 mins.

Alonso and Fletcher tangle again. Still no cards being shown.

Great play from United, but Giggs' cross goes straight into the hands of Reina. Excellent one-touch build up play.

Giggs gets free and feeds Saha on the left flank. He cuts inside and powers it towards goal. Reina doesn't hold it and gathers eventually, but he was lucky there was no-one following up.

Gerrard gets away from Evra, and Carrick slides in on Sissoko. Foul.

Neither side getting a foothold in the game.

Fletcher goes in on Hyypia as the big defender fell over. Both teams aren't lacking the desire, just any real chances.

Gary Neville gets some space on the right, but his cross is dreadful and it goes for a throw.

Riise's cross doesn't find Hyypia and Liverpool get it back in defence. Ferdinand mops up and releases a United attack.

Garcia breaks with Gonzalez, but Carrick gets back well and concedes the corner.

Corner by Carrick hits Vidic, breaks to Saha who fires a shot in. Reina palms it straight back into the penalty area, but Liverpool clear.

Man Utd tidy up, but Fletcher gives it away again. United's midfield has looked sloppy so far. Giggs finds space and crosses as Riise clears while falling over.

Giggs free kicks, Vidic can't get his head on it. Rooney tangles with Carragher, he looks fired up today.

A lot of mistakes at the moment. No-one getting any time on the ball at all

Hyypia crosses the ball, when he should be on the end of it really. Long throw by Riise finds Evra who clears. Great skills by Saha, neither team are controlling the possession at the moment.

Rooney tackles back and fouls Finnan from behind. No card either, Poll is letting the game run.

Liverpool look confused in possession. Gerrard and Alonso getting in each others way.

Saha gets away from Sissoko, who cynically trips him. No yellow card though. That was a blatent booking.

Tough challenge by Gerrard with Evra again. Rooney battles well, but loses out and Garcia wastes possession.

Alonso tries a crossfield ball, but Gerrard doesn't chase it.

Giggs will swing it in. Great ball in, but Ferdinand can't direct it goalwards.

Garcia fouls Fletcher on the right wing. He's looked bright so far.

Rooney does very well, United finding their feet. Saha working the channels, and creating space. Carrick and Neville make a mess of the short corner.

Fletcher does very well against Riise. The ball breaks and Reina comes charging out, misses the ball as Fletcher slides in, he just can't get there before Hyypia clears. The Liverpool keeper looked dodgy again.

Poor clearance from Hyypia. Rooney picks it up and gets past a few defenders, falls and there is no foul.

Carrick gives the ball away. Liverpool settle it down and Gerrard crosses to Kuyt who can't get on the end of it. He found a lot of space but the ball wasn't good enough.

Fletcher and Rooney combine well. But Liverpool clear and break. Gerrard takes Evra down on the left.

Liverpool enjoying possession, Alonso slides it through, but Gary Neville is too good and reads it well.

Liverpool set out in a 4-5-1 formation, with United 4-4-2.

Scholes loses out and Kuyt tries to get on the end of the long ball.

Graham Poll is the ref today, he gave that one to United.

Gerrard looking lively early on. Garcia nicks it away from Ferdinand, who falls over and the referee blows up. He fell over his own feet!

Gerrard feeds it through, Ferdinand has to clear, and it goes for a throw in.

Riise shoots from the halfway line, but it sails over the bar.

Gonzalez speeding around, nicks the ball from Neville. Kuyt picks it up and feeds Gonzalez who hits the cross just behind Gerrard.

Liverpool in yellow try to close down Scholes, but he feeds Evra on the left.

United kick off

The biggest match in the North is about to get underway. Liverpool can't afford to lose.

For United, Ronaldo is on the bench, but Gary Neville is back with Ryan Giggs. Rooney and Saha begin up front.

No place for Crouch, as Kuyt starts for Liverpool. Gerrard is fit and Gonzalez gets a place on the left wing.

What a great run from Ryan Giggs. No-one could stop him as he charged through the defence, Rooney eventually got in his way but Giggs has looked really sharp today.

Scholes gets back and tackles Pennant.

Gerrard trying to pull the strings. Crouch loses out with his first touch.

Gerrard finally settles into the centre of midfield.

Alonso comes off, Crouch on.

Crouch ready to come on, but will be be able to spark Liverpool into life and get them back into this game?

Giggs running at Finnan, he does look good. Vidic is booked for a foul on Kuyt.

Crouch warming up, as the linesman loses his flag.

Rooney bursts down the right but Sissoko gets back well.

Incredible strike by Ferdinand. Carragher was struggling with injury, but United took full advantage.

GOAL: Great cross with his right foot from Giggs, the ball bounces across the box. Rio Ferdinand brings the ball down and smashes it into the top left hand corner with his left foot. What a strike from the defender.

Saha finds space on the edge of the box, Carragher blocks the shot well.

Sissoko being forced to go down the right because Gerrard has come infield. Carragher is down injured. He looks hurt, ankle injury.

Gerrard trying to slide the ball through, difficult ball though. He looks like he's trying too hard.

Gerrard with a wonderful ball over the top to Garcia. Van der Sar stayed put and Garcia's header was weak!

A very poor passing game in this second half. Both teams need something extra to add some spice, but United will be the happier of the two.

Ferdinand just kicks it out into touch. Poor play again.

Sissoko has to be careful. He's already on a yellow and he's steaming around the pitch.

Garcia, Gerrard and Pennant are all drfiting around. Kuyt hasn't had a touch all half.

United snaffle possession again. Only Saha is up front though.

Poor miskick by Finnan, but Carragher just manages to clear. Liverpool look in disarray when going forwards.

Poor tackle from Gerrard on Evra. He's looking busy, but he's restricted on the right hand side.

Gerrard has come inside, perhaps against the manager's wishes. He wins the ball from Scholes and Garcia runs into trouble while trying to get off a shot.

Sissoko breaks and loses out before he can pass. Pennant cuts inside, but his pass goes astray again. Liverpool can't seem to put a set of passes together.

Garcia gives it away when Gerrard was free. Awful play from Liverpool again.

Great ball from Scholes to Fletcher. No-one in the middle for the cross

United building an attack very well. But Pennant eventually breaks it up.

Gerrard stays on the right, Pennant playing down the left. Gerrard looked disappointed to see he was staying put.

Pennant comes on for the disappointing Gonzalez.

Rooney sets it up for Scholes. But his shot is hit well wide.

Evra links well with Saha. Sissoko took the ball cleanly but the ref blows up. Bad decision.

Liverpool careless in possession. But then Neville and Fletcher get in a mess and give it away as well. Scrappy start to the second half so far.

Poor play by Gonzalez again, fails to link with Garcia.

Neville's cross cleared by Finnan, Saha picks it up but drags his shot wide

Fletcher does well, twisting and turning. His work rate is very impressive.

Giggs runs at Finnan, but the defender does well

No changes at the half, Crouch stays one the bench and Gerrard still looks like playing on the right.

Liverpool kick off

Half time

Alonso fires it a shot. Way wide. United will be happy with the half so far.

Garcia crosses, but Vidic heads clear

Far too congested in the Liverpool midfield. There was a chance of a break, but it got busy and Riise fired a wayward shot in.

Excellent ball from Finnan, but Kuyt didn't look up before crossing.

Liverpool looking shaky. They can't afford to concede again. Evra is caught offside.

Good save from the Spanish keeper. Fletcher nearly muscles his way through, but Riise blocked him off.

Giggs popping up on the right, Saha gets possession and goes for the shot. Oh so close, Reina just got his fingertips on it.

United settle the play down, they'll be happy going into the break with a lead.

Gerrard trying to run the show now for Liverpool. Scholes was left totally alone in the box for Giggs' cross.

GOAL. Paul Scholes crowns his 500th appearances for the club with a goal. Rooney fed Giggs and Scholes was totally unmarked in the centre. Awful defending by Liverpool, what a gift of a goal.

Kuyt deflects the mishit shot by Garcia into the path of Gonzalez, but he mishits the shot. Terrible again by the winger. Another chance goes begging.

Gerrard's corner is poor. But there's no-one up the field for United.

High ball across by Kuyt, Gonzalez brings it down and shoots over the bar, it was deflected as Fletcher caught him on the follow through.

Fletcher with a terrible touch gives it away to Gonzalez. Neville was out of position, but Ferdinand recovers and makes the block. Wasted chance by the youngster.

Giggs feeds Scholes, but the shot was blocked easily.

Alonso fouls again, he must be close to being booked.

Riise handles, but nothing given.

Now the chances are coming!

Saha spins away and runs at the defence. Neville crosses it and Saha heads the ball onto his own shoulder. Reina gets there before Rooney.

Great chance for Liverpool. A peach of a cross from Gonzalez, Kuyt heads it weakly to Van Der Saar. He should have done a lot better than that.

Carrick plays it over the top to Rooney, but Hyypia takes it off the striker's foot.

A lot of congestion in the centre of the field has meant both Rooney and Gerrard have lacked any time on the ball.

Gerrard losing out, he's not having much of an impact so far. Neville reads the pass well again.

Gonzalez breaks and hits the worst shot in history, which Kuyt keeps in by the corner flag. He was in a good position but panicked when he saw the goalposts.

Poll has finally used the yellow, and the game is coming to life.

Now its getting tasty. Fletcher goes in on Sissoko, Sissoko then fouls Scholes and picks up a yellow card.

Haven't seen Kuyt for the past 10 mins.

Alonso and Fletcher tangle again. Still no cards being shown.

Great play from United, but Giggs' cross goes straight into the hands of Reina. Excellent one-touch build up play.

Giggs gets free and feeds Saha on the left flank. He cuts inside and powers it towards goal. Reina doesn't hold it and gathers eventually, but he was lucky there was no-one following up.

Gerrard gets away from Evra, and Carrick slides in on Sissoko. Foul.

Neither side getting a foothold in the game.

Fletcher goes in on Hyypia as the big defender fell over. Both teams aren't lacking the desire, just any real chances.

Gary Neville gets some space on the right, but his cross is dreadful and it goes for a throw.

Riise's cross doesn't find Hyypia and Liverpool get it back in defence. Ferdinand mops up and releases a United attack.

Garcia breaks with Gonzalez, but Carrick gets back well and concedes the corner.

Corner by Carrick hits Vidic, breaks to Saha who fires a shot in. Reina palms it straight back into the penalty area, but Liverpool clear.

Man Utd tidy up, but Fletcher gives it away again. United's midfield has looked sloppy so far. Giggs finds space and crosses as Riise clears while falling over.

Giggs free kicks, Vidic can't get his head on it. Rooney tangles with Carragher, he looks fired up today.

A lot of mistakes at the moment. No-one getting any time on the ball at all

Hyypia crosses the ball, when he should be on the end of it really. Long throw by Riise finds Evra who clears. Great skills by Saha, neither team are controlling the possession at the moment.

Rooney tackles back and fouls Finnan from behind. No card either, Poll is letting the game run.

Liverpool look confused in possession. Gerrard and Alonso getting in each others way.

Saha gets away from Sissoko, who cynically trips him. No yellow card though. That was a blatent booking.

Tough challenge by Gerrard with Evra again. Rooney battles well, but loses out and Garcia wastes possession.

Alonso tries a crossfield ball, but Gerrard doesn't chase it.

Giggs will swing it in. Great ball in, but Ferdinand can't direct it goalwards.

Garcia fouls Fletcher on the right wing. He's looked bright so far.

Rooney does very well, United finding their feet. Saha working the channels, and creating space. Carrick and Neville make a mess of the short corner.

Fletcher does very well against Riise. The ball breaks and Reina comes charging out, misses the ball as Fletcher slides in, he just can't get there before Hyypia clears. The Liverpool keeper looked dodgy again.

Poor clearance from Hyypia. Rooney picks it up and gets past a few defenders, falls and there is no foul.

Carrick gives the ball away. Liverpool settle it down and Gerrard crosses to Kuyt who can't get on the end of it. He found a lot of space but the ball wasn't good enough.

Fletcher and Rooney combine well. But Liverpool clear and break. Gerrard takes Evra down on the left.

Liverpool enjoying possession, Alonso slides it through, but Gary Neville is too good and reads it well.

Liverpool set out in a 4-5-1 formation, with United 4-4-2.

Scholes loses out and Kuyt tries to get on the end of the long ball.

Graham Poll is the ref today, he gave that one to United.

Gerrard looking lively early on. Garcia nicks it away from Ferdinand, who falls over and the referee blows up. He fell over his own feet!

Gerrard feeds it through, Ferdinand has to clear, and it goes for a throw in.

Riise shoots from the halfway line, but it sails over the bar.

Gonzalez speeding around, nicks the ball from Neville. Kuyt picks it up and feeds Gonzalez who hits the cross just behind Gerrard.

Liverpool in yellow try to close down Scholes, but he feeds Evra on the left.

United kick off

The biggest match in the North is about to get underway. Liverpool can't afford to lose.

For United, Ronaldo is on the bench, but Gary Neville is back with Ryan Giggs. Rooney and Saha begin up front.

No place for Crouch, as Kuyt starts for Liverpool. Gerrard is fit and Gonzalez gets a place on the left wing.