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Wayne Rooney: Manchester United must beat Liverpool in battle of 'the two biggest clubs in England'
The lunchtime kick-off between the arch-rivals is sure to be a hotly-contested encounter, but the Red Devils' striker, himself born on Merseyside, insists victory is imperative
11-Feb-2012 5:19:17 PM
By Tom Marshall-Bailey
Getty Images
Wayne Rooney believes that this weekend's derby match with Liverpool is Manchester United's biggest game of the season and insists that only a win will do at Old Trafford on Saturday.
With Manchester City now challenging Sir Alex Ferguson's men for the title, the Manchester derby may be seen by some as more of a glamour tie as United face a Liverpool team who can, for this season at least, realistically only fight for a fourth-placed finish.
Rooney though, feels that this game will always be special for himself and both sets of supporters.
"United versus Liverpool has always been a massive game - it’s a game between the two biggest clubs in England," he told the matchday programme, United Review.
"I used to watch the matches all the time when I was growing up and I always supported United in them! To be part of them now is fantastic but it’s a game you never want to lose."
Much has been made in the build-up to this game about the saga involving Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra; the Uruguay international plays only his second match since returning from the suspension imposed when he was found guilty of directing racist abuse at Evra in the reverse fixture between the two teams in October.
Rooney, however, wants to focus on matters on the field, rather than off it.
"We’re all focused on the game," he added. "There’s always a big buzz around Old Trafford for this fixture. The rivalry goes back years regardless of where the teams are in the league. There are three points at stake and that’s what both teams will be going for."
With Manchester City now challenging Sir Alex Ferguson's men for the title, the Manchester derby may be seen by some as more of a glamour tie as United face a Liverpool team who can, for this season at least, realistically only fight for a fourth-placed finish.
Rooney though, feels that this game will always be special for himself and both sets of supporters.
"United versus Liverpool has always been a massive game - it’s a game between the two biggest clubs in England," he told the matchday programme, United Review.
"I used to watch the matches all the time when I was growing up and I always supported United in them! To be part of them now is fantastic but it’s a game you never want to lose."
Much has been made in the build-up to this game about the saga involving Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra; the Uruguay international plays only his second match since returning from the suspension imposed when he was found guilty of directing racist abuse at Evra in the reverse fixture between the two teams in October.
Rooney, however, wants to focus on matters on the field, rather than off it.
"We’re all focused on the game," he added. "There’s always a big buzz around Old Trafford for this fixture. The rivalry goes back years regardless of where the teams are in the league. There are three points at stake and that’s what both teams will be going for."
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