Wayne Rooney reckons United can finally end Liverpool's lingering title hopes with victory at Old Trafford on Saturday.

With only 11 matches left in the league, the champions are seven points ahead of Rafael Benitez's side and Chelsea, with a game in hand over both.

And Rooney is relishing another chance to take on his and United's arch-rivals, to hopefully put paid to their dreams of ending a 19-year wait for the championship.

"We’re in pole position in the title race and we know if we can beat Liverpool on Saturday then that’ll more or less end their chances of winning the league," the striker told MUTV.

"I’m also very excited about the game because I grew up as an Everton fan."

A white-hot atmosphere at Old Trafford helped United overcome Internazionale to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday, and Rooney is calling for more of the same at the weekend.

"I don’t know if they [the fans] realise how important they are," he added. "They drive the players on and it’s a big factor for us."