Gillespie gives view from Old Trafford

Firstly Keith, is today's game still one of, if not the biggest, games in English football?

Without a shadow of a doubt. I remember when I was growing up just how big a game it was. I've seen it over the years and it's still the biggest rivalry there is in football, for me. Although both teams aren't particularly playing that well at the minute, it's not going to take away from how huge a game it is. It doesn't matter what the form is in games like this. The rivalry is so intense. This game has an added aura to it as United had a bad season last year and Liverpool did so well. United haven't been used to that for quite a long time. They'll be keen to finish above Liverpool this year because there's plenty of bragging rights where that's concerned.

How much did that 3-0 win at Old Trafford last season hurt United fans?

It was unusual for United, especially at home, to suffer such a defeat. The scoreline was 3-0, but it could have been 5-0 - that's how bad United played on the day and how exceptionally well Liverpool played. The visitors were at a stage around that time last season when they were doing that week in, week out and they hit plenty of goals.

We've had United supporters on our website in the past who have said the Liverpool game is bigger than the match against Manchester City. Do you agree with that?

I totally agree with that. For quite a number of years, City were in and out of the top flight, before they had a big influx of money. So sometimes the Manchester derby didn't happen at all because of where City were in the lower divisions. Whereas this game has been there all the time and the matches have been regular occasions for many years. That's why it's such a big game. Then there's the proximity and the history of the two cities - they are not too far apart. The rivalry and the league championships come into it, too. United wanted to get more than Liverpool's 18 and they did that and now it's something they'll be desperate to carry on doing.

What are your memories of the games against Liverpool coming through the academy system at United?

They were massive games for us. Even at youth level, the rivalry is intense. It's drilled into you that this is a big, big game. I'm sure at Liverpool, when their young kids are playing against United, it will be instilled into them just how much of a huge match it is and how it's vital to get one over the opponent.

It will be the first of these games that Louis van Gaal has experienced as United boss. How will he approach it?

I think he'll relish it. He's managed at the top level throughout his whole career. He's managed the likes of Barcelona playing against Real Madrid and he's overseen other big rivalries on the continent. So I'm sure he'll be looking to treat it as just another game for United. But I think he'll realise when the game starts what type of atmosphere it is and the rivalry that exists. It's an important game for both managers. United are on a good run without particularly playing very well, which could be a good sign. It's always good to get the points when you're not at your best. 

How do you think Van Gaal will set up from a tactical perspective?

Watching the game on Monday against Southampton, they didn't look comfortable at all playing in the 3-5-2. It's something that the players haven't really taken to. It looked like they were very unsure at the time. It's difficult when the players have been brought through the youth system and everything is about 4-4-2. Now a new manager comes in and changes the whole style and the way the club plays. It's difficult to know whether he will actually stick to that formation, considering the way they played on Monday night.

If you were Brendan Rodgers on Sunday, what would you instruct your players to do?

Liverpool still have great players, despite recent form. There's an awful lot of talent in the squad. The manager just needs one result to kickstart the season and there's certainly no better place to do that than at Old Trafford. The players are probably a little bit low on confidence after the result against Basel in the Champions League during the week. But one game can change all that and the whole club, as well as the team, can thrive on a victory at Old Trafford.

Is there a particular way to get around this United team?

I don't think Old Trafford is as daunting a place as it was three or four years ago and United don't seem to have a settled defence. I know they have had a lot of injuries, but they are leaking more goals than normal. Clubs aren't as intimidated as they once were when they travel to Old Trafford and Liverpool certainly won't be intimidated.

Who's the one player Liverpool should be afraid of most this afternoon?

Looking at the way Robin van Persie played during the game on Monday, I'd probably go for him. He's had something of a lean spell of late, but those two goals will do him the world of good. Strikers need goals to boost their confidence and he's got that now. I know they've got the likes of Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata - possibly Angel Di Maria if he's fit. But Van Persie is back on track for me. He's scoring goals and if United can get him back to where he was two seasons ago, they'll be a very good team.

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Keith Gillespie's autobiography, 'How Not to be a Football Millionaire', which tells a moving story about the other side to the sport, is now available to purchase in paperback form.