Manchester United head to Liverpool at the weekend for a significant test of Sir Alex Ferguson's team's improved away form. United won a record 19th league title last season - moving ahead of Liverpool's tally of 18 - despite their worst away record since the start of the Premier League.
They have improved that in the current campaign, with two wins and a draw from their three away games, with a 1-1 draw at Stoke the only points they have dropped so far. But they will have to improve their record against their old rivals if they are to retain their unbeaten record. They have lost three consecutive matches at Anfield, with Ferguson recently admitting that his team have been outfought on their recent trips to Merseyside.
Nemanja Vidic, who could return from a calf problem he sustained on the opening weekend of the season, was sent off in two of those three matches. With Manchester City hosting Aston Villa, United know that they could lose ground in the title race without a positive result against Kenny Dalglish's team.
England striker Wayne Rooney, who started his career at another of Liverpool's bitter rivals Everton, feels the short trip to Anfield is the hardest game of the season. "For me, Liverpool is always the toughest place to go to and win," Rooney said. "They'll be pushing to get into the top four and with the signings they've got they're capable of doing that so we'll have to be aware of them and try to beat them this time. "They've made some good signings and obviously with them not qualifying for the Champions League last season they'll be desperate to get back into that."