Sammy McIlroy gives view from opposition

McIlroy made his United debut against Manchester City as a 17-year-old in 1971 and the midfielder from Northern Ireland, who scored 71 goals for the club, was to be Sir Matt Busby's final signing.

He remembers playing at Anfield alongside some of Liverpool's greats, watching them touch the 'This Is Anfield' sign and recalls being in awe of the man who hung the sign in pride of place above the tunnel, Bill Shankly.

McIlroy also recounts entering the Boot Room, hearing the roar of the Kop and brings us back to the present day to preview this afternoon's monumental clash as he offers an insight into the opponent's camp. 

Sammy, you played 17 games in total for Manchester United against Liverpool...

...and every one of them was a battle! It was always, always a hard game against Liverpool. Back in the 1970s, Liverpool were a fantastic side. We seemed to have a bit of an upper hand against them in the cup competitions, but as far as the championships went, Liverpool were so good. They were just unbelievable. Great consistency, great players; Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Jimmy Case. It was around the early 1970s that I came on the scene. I could have listened to Bill Shankly talk about football all day long. He was such a great football character. He was the one who set the tone for Liverpool to start playing the way they are now. Sir Matt Busby and Bill Shankly were two fantastic managers - but you don't get these types of characters now, the way they were then. 

What's your memories of being in and around those people, inside Anfield during a matchday?

They used to have the Boot Room there, and I was fascinated with that. I remember after one game we played at Anfield, Tommy Cavanagh, who was a Liverpool lad himself and was our coach at the time, actually got me into the Boot Room after the game. There was Ronnie Moran, Joe Fagan, Bob Paisley and Tommy Smith - Shanks wasn't there at the time. But I was just fascinated with it because everything seemed to be done from there. The deals were always done around the Boot Room and I just loved being in it, even if it was for just a short time. They would sit there together and there was nothing fancy about the place - it was just a load of old books and cups of tea. But it was fascinating to listen to these people talk about football.

When you walked down the famous Anfield tunnel, what was going through your head as a Manchester United player?

You could hear the atmosphere. The atmosphere during Liverpool and Manchester United games was absolutely second to none. You'd see the Liverpool players touch the 'This is Anfield' sign and that used to send a shiver up you sometimes. Then you ran down and then up the steps and the Kop would just erupt. You knew either way that you were in for a game. They didn't let you down, the crowd at Anfield. You don't forget that. Before the game had started, with the atmosphere, Liverpool were already 1-0 up. It was that good. The noise that used to come from the Stretford End was very similar at times. There's still a great atmosphere coming from the Kop. Today it will be as loud as ever.

How do you assess where Manchester Uited are at the moment as a team?

They're still under new management in Louis van Gaal. He's spent a lot of money, but I don't care how much money you spend, it takes a long time for teams to gel. But being Manchester United, as David Moyes found out, you very rarely get the time to do that. He's still working on it, for me. I still think he needs certain players added to the squad, but it's similar to the situation at Liverpool and with Brendan Rodgers. When he started the season off, he had lost Luis Suarez and he had Daniel Sturridge out injured. He had to revamp his squad and change his tactics and it's taken a little bit of time for him to turn it around. But he has done. He's turned it around and, at the moment, Liverpool are the form side in the Premier League.

Just how well has Rodgers done by turning the season around for Liverpool? After the defeat at Old Trafford they were 10 points behind Manchester United...

I think the way he has handled the pressure has been very good. He brought a few players into the club in the summer and it's taken time for these players to get to know Brendan and his philosophy and how he wants to play. He's changed the system and he's been brave. He was taking a lot of flak, but he's battled through that and it's working. I think Louis van Gaal is doing the same thing. He's trying to get his system in place. United have had a lot of injuries as well throughout the season and that's affected his team selection on many occasions. But against Tottenham Hotspur last week they gave their best performance at home all season. And this all just adds up to a cracking game today.

Who's the one player who can turn the game for United?

It's going to be difficult because you'll have to wait and see what his team is. I'm not sure about Robin van Persie. For me, the main man still is Wayne Rooney. There's no doubt about that. When he plays well, United play well. I'm sure the Liverpool lads and the Liverpool supporters know all about that. He's the main man and if he has a decent game today, United will be well in the game.

Have you got a prediction?

I'm sure Louis van Gaal would settle for a draw. Obviously he'll be going for a win because that's the way United are. But I'm sure if you asked him now if he would take a draw, the way the league situation is, he would take it.