London - Manchester United will bid for a sixth straight Premier League victory to heap more misery on Brendan Rodgers and his beleaguered Liverpool side when the bitter rivals meet at Old Trafford on Sunday.
United, who finished seventh last season, continued to recover from their poor start to the campaign with a fortunate 2-1 win at high-flying Southampton on Monday that lifted them into third place for the first time since August 2013.
By contrast, last term's runners-up Liverpool are ninth and suffered an early Champions League exit with a 1-1 home draw in their final group game against FC Basel on Tuesday.
The Anfield club have struggled to recapture the form that took them to the brink of the title and, after two wins in their last six league matches -- including a 0-0 home draw with Sunderland on Saturday -- they have 21 points.
United striker Robin van Persie scored both goals in the victory at Southampton and three strikes in as many games have helped silence the critics following his poor early form.
The Netherlands captain said he and his team mates, who are eight points adrift of leaders Chelsea with 28 after 15 games, are finding their top form.
"The next game is Liverpool, so we're looking forward to that," Van Persie said.
"We are really happy that we are on the way up now. We have to keep the momentum going."
Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The match between the two bitter rivals kicks off at 15:30.