Gary Neville completed an hour in his latest comeback from injury, but couldn’t prevent a strong Liverpool side virtually ending United’s title hopes in controversial fashion.

Goals from Xavi Alonso and Harry Kewell sealed the points for the hosts, but United will feel aggrieved at having two goals incorrectly chalked off at key times in the match.

Neville lined up at right back for United, alongside Gerard Pique, Danny Simpson and Richard Eckersley in a strong defence. Liverpool also handed outings to Daniel Agger, Kewell and Alonso in a bid to hone their match fitness.

A massive crowd of 10,546 crammed into the Halliwell Jones Stadium to provide a belting atmosphere throughout the match, with Neville's return prompted very different responses from the two sets of fans.

Only 12 minutes had elapsed when the home contingent were given something more positive to shout about as Alonso opened the scoring, converting a penalty won by Krisztian Nemeth at the expense of Pique.

Alonso and Nemeth both came close to extending the hosts’ advantage but, in a first half hampered by swirling winds and a dreadful pitch, chances were scarce for United.

Substitute Martin Skrtel headed against the crossbar shortly after the interval, before Chris Eagles had home goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis scrambling to tip over his opportunistic 50-yard effort.

Eagles did then have the ball in the net on the hour mark, only for play to be called back after