Louis van Gaal has challenged Wayne Rooney to end his Anfield hoodoo by scoring at the home of Manchester United’s fiercest rivals.
United and England captain Rooney has plundered 229 goals in over a decade playing for United, but only one has come in his 10 career appearances at Liverpool's ground - in his first game there with United, a 1-0 win in January 2005.
Rooney has failed to score in his seven visits to Anfield since, and managed just two shots on target in those matches.
With five goals in his last six appearances for United, though, the 29-year-old could not be heading to Anfield in better form - having been restored to his favoured role up front after a prolonged stint in midfield.
And boss Van Gaal, who was not aware of Rooney’s poor record at Liverpool's home until it was pointed out to him, backed his captain to continue his scoring run and plunder a long overdue goal when they face their arch-rivals on Sunday.
“I had the same experience in the Netherlands as a manager,” said Van Gaal. “A player has it also. It’s strange, because I’m not superstitious, so we have to change that feeling also with Wayne.
“I have grounds where I never won as a manager or a player with a certain club. But then, with another club, I always won there.
“I’ve heard this [Rooney’s record at Anfield] for the first time. It’s strange, but it can be like this - and I hope I can change it with Wayne
LvG calls for winter break
Louis van Gaal believes the Premier League must introduce a winter break if English teams are to conquer the Champions League again.
Manchester City's exit to Barcelona at the last 16 stage on Wednesday means there are were no English sides left in today's quarter-final draw.
And Manchester United boss Van Gaal predicted that trend could continue for English clubs unless they follow continental leagues by introducing a two-week break at Christmas. “You have to go back to Christmas,” said Van Gaal. “The world is changing, it’s not the same world as 20 years ago.
"Twenty years ago the English Premier League was up here, had a lot of money, a lot of players came to the Premier League because you are paying well and the Premier League ise a high standard.
“But the other countries are developing themselves also - but they also have a winter break while we have to play four or five matches in two weeks and they have a break of two weeks.
“Then you have to play those after how many matches you have already played. How many matches have Bayern Munich played in the meantime, for example? That’s the difference.
"They are much fresher than players of Arsenal or Chelsea. That, in my opinion, is the difference because players need rest.” Carrick pens contract extension
Michael Carrick has signed a one-year contract extension with Manchester United.
England midfielder Carrick, 33, was out of contract this summer but agreed to extend his deal by a further 12 months.
United boss Louis Van Gaal said: "He is important because he can read the game, as a player on the pitch.
"So he can coach during the game. But he can improve that I think
"He is also a player who can play the ball forward and that I like, because our aim is always to pass the ball forward more than sideways.
"He is my second captain so he is an important man for my selection."
United face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday and Van Gaal, who has never managed there before, said: "The next match is against Liverpool, and that is not a ground where Manchester United has won a lot." Agent: Falcao reducted to tears at United
Radamel Falcao has been reduced to tears by his problems at Manchester United this season, according to the striker's mentor.
Falcao, on a season-long loan from Monaco, has struggled to make an impact at United, scoring just four goals in 21 appearances since moving to England last summer.
The Colombia striker's lowest point came when he was left on the bench as United were dumped out of the FA Cup to Arsenal – his misery compounded by being forced to play for the club's reserves the next day at Old Trafford.
Falcao's disappointing form continued in that game, with the 29-year-old being taken off after 70 minutes, a chastening experience for the forward, according to his former agent Silvano Espindola.
Espindola said: “We talk a lot. I'm not going to say that he feels happy because he's not. We've spoken many times and cried together."
Espindola, speaking to AS Colombia, said Falcao found it hard to accept being asked to play for United's second-string, just 24 hours after being left on the bench by Louis van Gaal for the FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.
“When he was on his way to the ground to play this game with the reserves, he called me,” said Espindola.
“We spoke for 20 minutes until he reached the stadium and he told me 'I've never been through something like this, I don't know how to deal with this situation. It feels weird for me'."