Giggs back for United
Posted Sunday, March 21, 2010 by PA
Ryan Giggs returns to the Manchester United squad for the Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Giggs has missed seven games since breaking his arm at Aston Villa last month but has returned to training without a problem and is expected to start.
Nemanja Vidic will be hoping to stay on the pitch after being sent off the last three times he has faced Liverpool but United need to arrest a similarly lengthy losing run if they are to retain top spot.
Darren Fletcher has admitted a record 19th league championship is one of the prime motivations for Manchester United this season.
In 1990, when Liverpool won the last of their 18 titles, United's tally stood at a meagre seven.
Yet that once impregnable lead has slowly been whittled away to the point where it no longer exists.
If United finish top this term, the record will be theirs for the first time in the Old Trafford club's illustrious history.
It is a fact not lost on Liverpool, who head to Old Trafford knowing the only tangible domestic prize they can win this season is that coveted fourth spot, and with it entry into the Champions League.
"Nineteen titles is a motivation," said Fletcher.
"The fans are desperate for it. The club want to be the club with the most titles in English football.
"But there are a lot of motivations. As players we want that Premier League for the fourth time in a row. Then there are the defeats we had against them, both last season and this.
"Even more important, this game is worth another three points and that is what we will be looking for."
For the respective sets of supporters, knowing victory for their side could scupper their rivals' hopes completely only adds more fuel to what is guaranteed to be a highly-charged atmosphere.
There is no doubting all the cash being poured into Eastlands from Abu Dhabi has rekindled Mancunian passion, but across the world, the confrontation between England's traditional superpowers is recognised as the biggest day on the calendar.
"A lot of people regard Liverpool as Manchester United's biggest game," conceded Fletcher.
"There are a lot of big games for this club.
"With all the money and remembering that great semi-final this year, that is an intensity with Manchester City that we have not really seen before.
"But when you look at the success Liverpool have had, and all those league titles, in many people's eyes this is the big derby match."
Alberto Aquilani will be assessed before a decision is taken on whether he can rejoin the Liverpool squad.
The Italy international missed the Europa League victory over Lille with a sickness bug but, even if he is passed fit, it is likely he will only get a place on the bench.
Fellow midfielder Maxi Rodriguez returns to the squad having been ineligible for Europe and only Martin Skrtel (foot) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) are missing with injury.
Goalkeeper Jose Reina admits it is unacceptable for Liverpool not to have been crowned English champions for 20 years but is confident the club can soon put an end to that barren spell.
Last season the Reds registered their record Barclays Premier League haul in amassing 86 points as they ran United a close second.
"We were so close last season and that is why we are so disappointed this season because of that," said the Spain international.
"It is never funny to see all of us performing under our normal level but the English league is so tough so when you have a bad moment the confidence is not there.
"It was difficult to repeat those 86 points because that was a massive achievement.
"But we all row in the same way and we have to be persistent and keep delivering some good for the team.
"We have had one bad year but hopefully next season will be better.
"Twenty years waiting for the Premier League...I think the fans deserve some trophies."
Reina believes Sunday's game gives the players a chance to show the gulf between the two sides is not as great as people suggest.
"Sunday is a massive game in one of the most difficult stadiums in the world," said Reina.
"I am looking for the whole team performance and the only thing I can say is that we have not been good enough this season.
"At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what an individual can do if the team does not perform.
"Hopefully we will build something good from our bad moments. A proper team and a strong team has to do that and Liverpool are one of them."
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