Manchester United welcome bitter enemies Liverpool to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports HD 1 and 1.
Ferguson's men have a score to settle against bitter enemies
Manchester United's pride is still stinging from their remarkable 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford last March and Sir Alex Ferguson's Premier League leaders are determined to gain revenge on Sunday lunchtime.
But Rafa Benitez's Reds have their own problems following a terrible season and will not roll over at the Theatre of Dreams to add fascinating potential to a fixture which very rarely disappoints.
Twelve months ago Liverpool stunned their bitter rivals with their famous victory to spark a tense conclusion to the title race, which United eventually edged by four points to move level with their North West neighbours on 18 league trophies.
One year on and the times have changed. United again have silverware in their sights and are desperate to overtake their foes with a 19th successful top-flight campaign, but Liverpool have limped through the season and finishing fourth will now be considered a major achievement in May.
Ferguson's men therefore go into the match as firm favourites, however, that was also the case at Anfield in October when their hosts ended a worst sequence of results since 1987 with a 2-0 win and a third straight victory over United.
A rare sequence of defeats to their fierce enemies only adds motivation for the defending champions and they are desperate to kick Liverpool, who have only the Europa League as a chance for a medal, while they are down.
The past fortnight has only served to demonstrate the gulf that has developed between the two clubs, as while United were flexing their UEFA Champions League-winning potential by demolishing AC Milan, Liverpool were forced to earn a scrappy two-legged victory over Lille in the Europa League.
History books
United will be keen to emphasise that point and the returning Ryan Giggs has let it be known that any opportunity to demonstrate superiority will be taken with both hands as the Welshman has admitted his determination to erase Liverpool's 18 titles from the history books.
Giggs has missed seven games since breaking his arm at Aston Villa in February, but has returned to training without a problem and is expected to play a part on Sunday.
Wayne Rooney will continue to lead the United line as the England ace maintains his stunning season for both club and country.
Nemanja Vidic will be hoping to stay on the pitch after being sent off the last three times he has faced Liverpool, with superstar striker Fernando Torres giving the centre-back nightmares.
Former Liverpool hero Michael Owen is out for the season through injury, while Wes Brown, Rafael da Silva, Anderson, John O'Shea and Owen Hargreaves are also out of first-team action.
Benitez will offer a late fitness test for Fabio Aurelio, a hero from last season after his free-kick goal at Old Trafford, but the Brazilian was undergoing additional physiotherapy in midweek and is far from certain to feature.
Martin Skrtel is still missing with a broken metatarsal, while it remains to be seen if the injury-prone Alberto Aquilani will recover from the virus which ruled him out of the win over Lille.
Maxi Rodriguez was ineligible on Thursday and should return as Albert Riera has been told to stay away from the club following his outburst at the managerial style of Benitez.
Possible starting XIs
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes, Nani, Rooney.
Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Maxi, Lucas, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard, Torres.
