Two goals from Wayne Rooney helped Manchester United claim all three points against Liverpool in a fiery encounter at Old Trafford this afternoon.

All the pre-match talk surrounded Liverpool's Luis Suarez and United's Patrice Evra following the former's recent eight-match ban for racially abusing the Frenchman.

The situation escalated when Suarez refused to shake the hand of Evra during the pre-match handshakes.

On the pitch, Suarez created the first chance of the match after nine minutes. His pass found Glen Johnson, who cut inside Evra before sending a curling effort just inches wide of David de Gea's post.

United's first meaningful attack arrived in the 18th minute when Rafael crossed for Danny Welbeck. However, the England international was able to get a boot to the ball and Pepe Reina gathered in the Liverpool goal.

Reina was forced into action with 30 minutes played. Veteran midfielders Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes exchanged passes for the latter to head at goal. Reina, though, was on hand to palm Scholes's effort to safety.

There were reports that both sets of players had been involved in an altercation in the tunnel during the break, which appeared to fire United up for the second half.

By the time the clock went past the 50th minute, United were two goals up. First Rooney volleyed in a corner from Giggs, then Antonio Valencia capitalised on a mistake from Jay Spearing to find Rooney who slotted the ball underneath an advancing Reina.

Rooney spurned a good chance to make the game safe when he shot wide on the hour mark having been found by Giggs.

That miss was punished ten minutes from time by Suarez, who reacted quickest to Rio Ferdinand's mis-control to shoot past De Gea from six yards.

Full-back Johnson came closest to rescuing a point for Liverpool, but his long-range effort was tipped over by De Gea.

The three points has seen United move to the top of the Premier League table, one point ahead of their rivals Manchester City.