MANCHESTER YNITED YAICHAPA LIVERPOOL 3

Wayne Rooney slides in to join his fellow goalscorers Juan Mata and Robin van Persie after the latter finished off their third against Liverpool


After 11 minutes and 30 seconds Raheem Sterling gets a golden chance to put Liverpool in the lead, but drives his shot into David de Gea

Just 25 seconds later, Rooney runs onto Valencia's pass at the top of the penalty area and makes in 1-0 in United's favour

Marouane Fellaini is outpaced by Adam Lallana and finds himself in referee Martin Atkinson's book after this challenge

One way or the other Lallana wasn't getting by Fellaini, who makes a late sliding tackle for the first yellow card of the match

Rooney was the United player nearest to Sterling when the England starlet's left-footed shot struck De Gea

Sterling reacts after missing one of several clear chances for Liverpool, who were without a striker in the first half

Rooney shows balance and poise as he sends Brad Jones the wrong way and places his shot to give United the lead

Robin van Persie (centre) and Liverpool's Martin Skrtel watch as Rooney's shot sails into the back of the net

Brad Jones lays helpless on the ground (ground) while Rooney wheels away for celebrations with (from left) Juan Mata and James Wilson

Rooney slides as he celebrates scoring the goal all Manchester United players want to score in the Premier League - one against Liverpool

Rooney screams with joy as (from left) Wilson, Jonny Evans and Ashley Young pile on top of their captain

Wilson and Van Persie help a smiling Rooney to his feet as the celebrations come to an end

De Gea celebrates Rooney's goal moments after making the save from Sterling's point blank strike

Glen Johnson makes an early exit after just 26 minutes through injury and is replaced by Kolo Toure

Steven Gerrard slides in to halt the progress of United's young striker James Wilson

Juan Mata heads in United's second goal on the far post but was offside when Robin van Persie go the decisive flick-on

Brad Jones, who replaced Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal, has no chance as Mata's header ripples the net

Mata celebrates as Liverpool slump two goals behind in what many regard as the fiercest rivalry in English football

A delighted Mata awaits his congratulations from team-mates after his controversial goal

Charged with leading the Liverpool front line, Sterling shows frustration after another missed opportunity

Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren rises highest for this header against United's Phil Jones

Mario Balotelli (second left), who came on for Lallana at the start of the second half, tugs on the shit of Van Persie

Sterling pays for his hesitation as De Gea makes another remarkable save, this time a one-on-one after a poor attempted pass to him

Sterling watches as the ball ricochets off De Gea's foot and away from the goal

Van Persie celebrates United's third goal that put the game to bed

Van Persie acknowledges the unselfish play of Mata that led to the goal