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Old Trafford witnessed another great derby between two timeless rivals Manchester United and Liverpool on Sunday. The game was oozing with stardom and it produced goals as one has come to expect from this particular clash. Dimitar Berbatov produced a masterclass, conjuring a hat-trick that consisted one of the goals of the season while Liverpool though subdued for most of the game came close to give major heartattacks to the United faithful with a brilliant 10 minute passage of play that saw them tie the game 2 - 2. The gut-wrenching, nail-biting and goosebumps popping encounter was one, best eye-witnessed but if you are one of those unfortunate people who failed to do so, we have made an attempt to describe of what can only be called a 'stupendous' encounter between England's two legendary football clubs.

The teamsheets from both sides promised a lot of entertainment and excitement as both sides went with more or less their best team on paper. Sir Alex Ferguson brought all his big guns back for this mega-clash after resting them in the mid-week Champions League enounter against Rangers. Edwin Van Der Sar was between the sticks for the Red Devils with Nemanja Vidic leading a strong back four consisting of Patrice Evra, the versatile John O'Shea and the talented Jonny Evans. Both Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs started for United alongsie Darren Fletcher and Nani who completed a flairy and dexterous midfield. In form Dimitar Berbatov was accompanied by Wayne Rooney in a 4-4-2 setup that could metamorphose into a 4-5-1 depending on the flow of play.

Liverpool were bubbling with confidence, having thrashed Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League on Thursday and also resting marquee players such as Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. A disappointing start to the Premier League campaign which saw them collect 5 points of a possilbe 12 means that things weren't all merry under Roy Hodgson, but the team he set out for the clash showed great intent and tenacity. Fernando Torres led the line being supported by the likes of Maxi Rodriguez, Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard. The two new summer signings replacing, Christian Poulsen and Raul Meireles, started in the middle of the park, to control and destroy.

United kicked things off at Old Trafford in a game that promised all the thrills and chills one could ask for. The home team started off the stronger of the two teams. They closed Liverpool down quickly and kept possession without letting go of the ball. The Red Devils were so into the faces of the Merseysiders that they earned 3 corners in the first 7 minutes of the game, causing ripples of all sizes and forms in the Liverpudlian defence. Manchester United had a great chance to take the lead with just 15 minutes on the clock. Berbatov's brilliant one-two with Wayne Rooney, gave Nani space to make a run into the box. The Portuguese winger tried to be a little too cute with his effort and in the end the ball missed the post by quite a margin, with one wondering whether the effort was a cross or an actual shot.

United continued to exploit Liverpool from the flanks with both Nani and Giggs trying to supply to the best of their ability. Liverpool were disappointing in possession. The Reds only kept the ball in their own half and were stripped of it whenever they ventured forward audaciously. One had to remind oneself regularly, that this was the very same team that consisted of the likes of Joe Cole, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. Liverpool failed to penetrate into the United penalty box not owing to their opponent's superior back line but largely due to their own lack of creativity and coupled with the sheer despondence of the midfield.

Considering all their dominance, only one team deserved to take the lead and so they did with a few minutes to the half time whistle. United received a corner in the 43rd minute and Dimitar Berbatov duly complied by heading the ball into the back of the net thanks to some horrendous marking from Fernando Torres who was having a nightmare on the other side of the pitch. Hand ball claims followed a few moments later but match referee Howard Webb refused to hand the game over to the Red Devils who were simply conquering the Reds. In a clash between the one of the least travelled coach and the most travelled coach in English football, the one who has been at the helm of the same club for almost 3 decades was smiling from ear to ear.

United continued to press in the second half, looking to finish this encounter once and for all. Dimitar Berbatov came close to double his tally for the game but Reina collected the ball cleanly enough to set the sun on that opportunity. Nani's strike around the 55th minute had real venom in it, stiking the near post, causing a minute earthquake in the box. Dimitar Berbatov doubled United's lead with a peach of a goal in the 59th minute. Nani, who had had a sensational outing so far, crossed the ball to the Bulgarian from the right who took a touch and then sent the ball into the back of the net with a stunning overhead kick albeit with some help from the underside of the crossbar. The former-Tottenham striker seemed to be on a mission to hush his critics and it showed.

Another twist in the plot emerged just minutes later when Jonny Evans brought Fernando Torres down in the box while the Spaniard had a clear sight at goal. Howard Webb awarded a penalty to Liverpool and Stevie G stepped up to bring his team back in the game with a cool penalty, sending Van Der Sar the wrong way. The game was going beyond boiling point as another controversial event occurred in the 68th minute when John O'Shea fouled Torres just outside the box. The Irishman should have received a red card for the challenge as he was the final defender but he was only handed a yellow from the referee. Steven Gerrard's freekick brought Liverpool back in the game as the attempt pierced a rather fragile United wall. It was 2-2 now, with 3 goals scored in the space 10 minutes and it was the third time in 5 games where Man United had allowed their opponents more than a lifeline to re-enter the fray.

With 6 minutes left on the clock, Dimitar Berbatov completed his hat-trick, heading the winner from a brilliant cross from John O'Shea into the back of the net. Berbatov's transformation from zero to hero has been quite sensational and it is one that could can potentially inspire people anywhere and everywhere not fulfilling their potential. He also etched his name in United folklore by becoming the first Man United player to score a hat trick in this fixture since 1946. This game was arguably one of the best of the Premier League season so far and Berbatov's performance on the night was quite simply awe-inspiring.

The scoreline did flatter to deceive as Liverpool only managed to stay in the game thanks to a tiny purple patch at the beginning of the second half. Stevie G and Fernando Torres though oblivious in the first half picked up their game in the second and ensured that United did get a run for their money. Performances from Nani and Dimitar Berbatov stood out for the home team who at one point of time looked to be heading to their 3rd stalemate of the season that would have given Chelsea a massive chance to take command of the title race.

Liverpool need to get their act together soon or they may end up enduring another harrowing season, unusual for a club of the stature. Roy Hodgson will have to take a good hard look at his midfield and figure out the best possible blend for his team. Maxi Rodriguez came off as a liability for the team, contributing nothing distinctive or as some might say 'nothing at all' to the Liverpool cause. Manchester United will be pleased to have finally banished the ghosts of the performances against Fulham and Everton. They next travel to the Reebok Stadium, not so far away from OT, to take on a resolute Bolton Wanderers team in an attempt to bridge that ever-increasing gap between themselves and Chelsea. Liverpool on the other hand host Sunderland at Anfield in their next Premier League encounter and Roy Hodgson will summon all the gods to help his team climb from the bottom of the Barclays Premier League table.

Team Line-ups:

Manchester United - Van Der Sar, O'Shea, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Nani (Anderson 88'), Scholes, Fletcher, Giggs (Macheda 82'), Rooney, Berbatov

Liverpool - Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky (Agger 82'), Meireles (Jovanovic 79'), Poulsen, Cole, Gerrard, Rodriguez (N'Gog 62'), Torres

Final Scoreline: Manchester United 3 - 2 Liverpool

Berbatov 42', 59', 84'        Gerrard 64', 70'

File Photograph Copyright: Gordon Flood