No laughing Mata as Man Utd host Liverpool in Premier League clash

Wayne Rooney hit 50 international goals wearing an England shirt in midweek, surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton to become the all-time record goalscorer for his country.

His record for Manchester United against Liverpool, while not disastrous, could be better. He has five goals against them while playing at the Red Devils, who are evens with Coral to beat Brendan Rodgers’ boys.

One of those five goals though, came in this fixture last season as Rooney’s side finished 3-0 winners, with further goals from the recently departed Robin van Persie and Juan Mata.

The Spaniard though, could well be the man to watch. His dominant display in the return fixture made for enjoyable viewing as he bagged a brace either side of half time, picking up the man-of-the-match award in the process, making Mata’s odds of 2/1 to net anytime a very attractive prospect.

As could Coral’s special offer of Rooney to score and United to win at 3/1 with the forward returning from international duty raring to go.

“I am very happy and grateful, but I go back to Manchester, get back into training and start focusing on Liverpool. Hopefully getting two goals in the last two games will mean I continue scoring,” Rooney said.

“There’s no better game to go into than Liverpool at home after losing our last game (2-1 at Swansea City). It is a game we have to win and it’s something I’m looking forward to.

“To achieve what I have (by becoming England’s top scorer), I would be lying if I said it didn’t put a spring in my step and make you want to carry on scoring.”

New £36m blockbuster signing Anthony Martial from Monaco could well be in line to make his debut and, should he appear, is 7/4 to dispatch anytime. Memphis Depay, meanwhile, who also arrived in the summer, is yet to score in the Premier League, but is 6/1 to break the deadlock

For the visitors meanwhile, new striker signing Christian Benteke has two goals to his name against United and, having opened his Reds account already this term, is a decent 15/8 anytime chance.

It will be interesting to see whether Brendan Rodgers starts Roberto Firmino in Philippe Coutinho’s absence, with the new signing looking somewhat off the pace in previous appearances as he improves his match fitness. He has shown that he can certainly score though and when he settles, Liverpool will have a fantastic player.

He is 2/1 to dispatch anytime, while fellow new signing Danny Ings could also be given a chance in attack and is 7/1 to break the deadlock.

Coral’s top tip: Mata to score anytime @ 2/1 after his record against Liverpool last season