After a goalless first half, United took a 47^th minute lead when Wayne Rooney hooked home from a corner.

The striker doubled the hosts' lead two minutes later, finishing from close range after being sent through on goal by Antonio Valencia.

Luis Suarez reduced the arrears with 10 minutes remaining when he converted from inside the six-yard box, but United held out to secure the three points.

Liverpool's pre-match team news confirmed four changes to the team that had started Monday's goalless draw with Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.

Suarez, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing joined the fit-again Jose Enrique in the starting XI with Andy Carroll, Charlie Adam, Martin Kelly and Craig Bellamy named on the bench.

Just two weeks on from a thrilling FA Cup fourth round victory over United at Anfield, the Reds made the short journey up the East Lancs road aiming to record a first win at Old Trafford since March 2009.

Liverpool began brightly, with Glen Johnson stinging the palms of David De Gea inside two minutes with a low left-foot drive from the edge of the box.

And, after Rooney had an effort stopped by Pepe Reina, the Reds' England full-back was at it again on 10 minutes, marauding into the box and curling narrowly wide of the post.

On 18 minutes it was the turn of a United defender to try his luck, this time Rafael's strike was collected by Reina.

The Liverpool custodian needed to be alert just after the half-hour mark to produce an instinctive stop to thwart Paul Scholes. Ryan Giggs's cross picked out the midfielder unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box, but his header was repelled by Reina.

Next, Patrice Evra headed over from Valencia's centre as the hosts began to apply pressure to the Reds' rearguard.

But with the visitors standing resolute, Steven Gerrard saw a powerful drive loop over the bar after taking a deflection en route to goal. After United cleared the initial kick behind for another corner, Skrtel lashed a volley over the bar to ensure the first half ended without a goal.

However, just two minutes of the second period had elapsed when United took the lead.

Giggs's corner was inadvertently flicked across the face of goal by Jordan Henderson, and Rooney swept beyond Reina from close range to break the deadlock.

The striker doubled United's advantage two minutes later when Valencia won possession from Spearing 25 yards from goal and sent Rooney through on goal, who netted with a first-time finish.

The goals prompted a double change from Dalglish on the hour, with Bellamy and Carroll entering the action to replace Downing and Spearing.

Liverpool probed in search of a route back into the contest, though Rooney and Danny Welbeck both had chances to extend the home side's lead.

With 10 minutes remaining, Suarez gave the Reds hope when substitute Charlie Adam's free-kick deflected into the path of the striker, who prodded beyond De Gea.

Johnson and Suarez both went close in stoppage time, but Liverpool were unable to muster a dramatic equaliser as United held on to collect the points.

Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Daniel Agger