First-half goals from Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata at the expense of bitter rivals Liverpool have left Manchester United on the verge of recording their sixth straight Premier League victory this afternoon.

Following a quiet opening to proceedings at Old Trafford, the game swung United's favour in an eventful 25-second period.

Adam Lallana threaded a low pass through to Raheem Sterling in the 12th minute, but the Liverpool attacker shot straight at David de Gea on his weaker left foot.

United immediately advanced up the pitch with Antonio Valencia, who beat Joe Allen for pace and trickery before picking out Rooney on the edge of the penalty area, and the home skipper found the bottom left hand corner of the net, with stand-in Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Jones wrong-footed.

Sterling remained a threat as the half progressed, though, and it was he that had the away side's second meaningful attempt with 23 minutes played. The 20-year-old jinked on the outside of the returning Phil Jones, but once again he was denied by De Gea at the Spaniard's near post.

However, as Liverpool's search for an equalising goal continued, they fell further behind. Robin van Persie flicked on Ashley Young's inswinging cross and Mata headed home from an offside position five minutes before the break.

There was still enough time for Sterling to test De Gea once again with a header, but the United keeper won that duel for a third time to ensure that his side held a two-goal cushion at the interval.