The relative lack of current success for both clubs is threatening to take some of the bite out this most tempestuous of clashes.

Robin van Persie’s double at Southampton has left Louis van Gaal’s side in third place but defender Evans has played enough times against Liverpool to know anything can happen.

Phelan, who spent five years as Sir Alex Ferguson’s right-hand man at Old Trafford before leaving when David Moyes took over the reins in 2013, says the new regime under Louis van Gaal could be the reason for United’s injuries this term.

Robin van Persie’s double secured a 2-1 victory for United – their fifth on the bounce – against Southampton on Monday evening, though they only managed three shots on goal, their lowest tally in a game since 2003.

United manager Louis van Gaal has again been promised another vast transfer budget to continue re-shaping his United squad, on top of the £150million spent in the last window.

United edged out Mark Hughes’ visitors 2-1 at Old Trafford last night thanks to goals from Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata.

After Man Utd’s victory over Hull, manager Louis van Gaal, who has managed some of Europe’s most prestigious clubs in the form of Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, bemoaned the fact that the Reds have to play over Christmas.

The 20-times league champions dispatched the Tigers 3-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday, maintaining their place in the top four and extending their winning streak to three games.

Keane, who spent 12 years at the heart of United’s dominating midfield before controversially departing Old Trafford in 2005, took up the assistant manager post at Villa Park in the close-season.

United currently sit in fourth place in the Premier League after scraping a 2-1 win over Arsenal at The Emirates on Saturday evening.

Les Parry, who won the Medical & Sports Science Professional crown at the North West Football Awards on Tuesday, is convinced United’s academy will continue to produce talented youngsters.