Manchester United 3-1 Liverpool: Barclays Premier League as it happened

So after a truly tedious first half, these two teams serve up a delightful second 45 featuring three superb goals from Blind, Benteke and Martial. The Belgian's in particular was an absolute delight, but most of the headlines will no doubt focus on United's new number nine.

Van Gaal's side up to second behind rivals City now and ahead of Arsenal on goal difference, with a trip to Southampton to come on 20 September after Memphis' Champions League reunion with former club PSV Eindhoven in midweek.

As for Liverpool, Rodgers' tactics and certain formation/personnel decisions continue to perplex. They are down to ninth and travel to Bordeaux in the Europa League next before hosting newly-promoted Norwich.

That is all we have time for tonight, but join us tomorrow as we provide live coverage of Sunderland v Tottenham from the Stadium of Light. Until then, goodnight.

Full-time

Manchester United 3-1 Liverpool

Four minutes of additional time signalled, but you have to imagine that Martial goal has done enough to secure victory for United.

Well, well, well. Many eyebrows were raised when United swooped late in the window and committed a huge sum to sign Martial, but he has just provided a real glimpse of his obvious potential.

After receiving possession from Young, the pacy 19-year-old drifts inside and slides effortlessly past the likes of Skrtel and Clyne before finishing coolly past Mignolet into the far corner. What a way to introduce yourself.

Goal: Manchester United 3-1 Liverpool (Anthony Martial)

United were looking relatively comfortable with that two-goal cushion but suddenly they are under a bit of pressure following a truly wonderful strike.

After Ibe looks to take on Young, he stands up a cross that is headed high into the air by Blind. Benteke watches it every step of the way and, despite pressure from Herrera, produces a tremendous acrobatic finish reminiscent of Rooney's overhead kick against Manchester City back in 2011.

Goal: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool (Christian Benteke)

Not content with simply blending in following his big-money move, Martial has chosen to sport a pair of extremely garish pink boots this evening.

De Gea is forced into a strong one-handed save as substitute Ibe tries his luck with a stinging shot.

The ball breaks for Milner down the right-hand channel. He sends in a cross towards Benteke, who rises above Smalling and Blind but powers a header over the top.

Divock Origi is sent on by Rodgers, with Ings eventually going off after some confusion surrounding the fourth official. Milner booked for a wild tackle on Young.

A third and final change from Van Gaal as Carrick is replaced by Schneiderlin. Darmian is then cautioned for a cynical foul on Ings, but Milner sends the free-kick wide.

With regular penalty taker Rooney not involved this evening, Herrera dusts himself down and blasts the spotkick into the roof of the net. Mignolet simply had no chance to save an effort struck with that sort of power, despite diving the right way.

Goal: Manchester United 2-0 Liverpool (Ander Herrera)

The hosts have a penalty as Gomez recklessly slides in on Herrera, despite the Spaniard not posing too much of a threat.

An air of expectancy around Old Trafford as Martial comes on for his United debut. Mata jogs off.

Rodgers also makes a change, with Jordon Ibe replacing Firmino.

Quick defending from Darmian to deny Benteke a clear run at De Gea. From the resulting corner, Skrtel's header deflects off Ings and produces a brilliant goaline block from Blind. The Dutch international then comes away from the post to ensure Firmino cannot provide a simple finish as the ball comes back across the six-yard box.

Lovren concedes a free-kick in a central area and protests furiously against the decision. This time it is Mata who provides the dummy, but Young can only bend the ball over the bar with his right foot.

Liverpool are throwing a bit of a caution to the wind now as Ings, who has spent much of this game in an unfamiliar withdrawn role on the left, breaks into the box and sees his effort tipped wide by a sprawling De Gea.

A cleaner contact on that shot and the visitors would surely be celebrating an equaliser.

De Gea has been completely untested on his return to the starting XI and his rustiness shows as he miscues a clearance straight to Can. Clyne then feeds Firmino, but Smalling makes a vital interception before Benteke can provide the tap-in.

Not a bad impact from Young. Replays of the goal show that Schweinsteiger helped immensely by occupying/smothering Clyne and clearing space for Mata's pass to reach Blind.

A sliding Milner tried in vain to block the shot, but he arrived too late.

It's extremely puzzling as to how Liverpool allowed Blind to reside in that much space. Perhaps they did not consider him much of a threat. Regardless, they have been undone by a textbook training ground routine and will have to show far more courage if they are to get back on level terms.

The resulting free-kick leads to the first real chance and the opening goal of the game. Young runs over the dead ball before Mata squares it to the waiting Blind, who thumps an excellent strike beyond Mignolet and into the top corner.

Goal: Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool (Daley Blind)

Finally a bit of pace and drive as Young runs at Clyne and wins a free-kick just outside the Liverpool penalty area. A slightly harsh yellow card for the England right-back.

The second half is now just seconds away. One change at the break as Van Gaal sends on Ashley Young in place of the disappointing Depay. One wonders if we will see Martial at some stage if the score remains goalless.

After the excitement provided by Everton's superb victory over Chelsea earlier today and Kelechi Iheanacho's late winner for Manchester City at Crystal Palace, this has been a total yawn-fest by comparison.

Although United appear more likely to make something happen, both sides look utterly reluctant to force the issue or take any sort of risk and the movement off the ball has been very poor indeed.

The crowd are crying out for an injection of any sort of pace or quality.

Half-time

Manchester United 0-0 Liverpool

One minute of additional time to be played before the break. Herrera tries to thread the ball beyond Liverpool's defence but Lovren is wise to it and gets down to make the block.

A warning for Lucas from Michael Oliver after the Brazilian commits several niggling fouls. Still nothing at all in terms of attacking nous from either team. Dull.

Turgid would be the right world to sum up this match so far as the ball slaps off Fellaini's thigh and any slight hint of danger is averted. Five minutes remaining before half-time.

Emre Can strides forward on the counter attack before releasing Benteke with a nicely weighted pass. Unfortunately for Liverpool, however, Blind stepped up in line with Chris Smalling to leave the striker well offside. To add insult to injury, his shot goes harmlessly wide.

A little over 10 minutes remaining before half-time and so far this has been a million miles away from being a classic. Still no clear-cut chances as both teams look functional but devoid of real quality.

Another cross from Mata looks to cause problems for Skrtel and Dejan Lovren but Herrera cannot rise high enough to make any meaningful contact.

A free-kick in a dangerous position for United on the right-hand side. Mata floats it in looking for the head of Fellaini at the back post, but this time Mignolet confidently claims.

A long pass forward from Ings is headed by Firmino towards Benteke. As the former Aston Villa frontman shapes to shoot, Daley Blind nips in to knock the ball away.

Depay does well to win another corner for United, but Liverpool defend it competently and Gomez eventually clears after an unconvincing Mignolet punch. The hosts continue to dominate possession without creating any real chances. 24 minutes gone.

A first real foray forward from Liverpool sees Joe Gomez produce a dangerous cross towards the head of Benteke. Luke Shaw does enough to clear, and Clyne fizzes the resulting rebound well wide.

Liverpool inviting their fair share of unnecessary pressure as Herrera tries to pick out Memphis but sees his underwhelming pass needlessly put behind for a corner by Nathaniel Clyne. Martin Skrtel clears and a second delivery eventually comes to nothing.

An opening for United as Carrick sweeps a perfect pass out to Matteo Darmian on the right flank. He pulls the ball across for Herrera, but it's just behind the Spaniard and Fellaini cannot bring it under control. Liverpool survive.

Mignolet called into action once more as he dives to punch a cross clear. An assured start from United, but Liverpool are looking a little shaky at the back.

A nervy start for Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal. After claiming a routine catch, he throws the ball straight at Mata but Fellaini can only send the rebound high over the crossbar. Not a good moment for the Belgian goalkeeper.

Lucas Leiva patrolling that area in front of the back four for Liverpool, with James Milner in close company. Christian Benteke operating as a lone frontman with Ings and Roberto Firmino looking to break forward in support.

No chances for either side as of yet.

United happy to maintain possession early on here, knocking the ball around with ease and patiently waiting for an opening. As if there was any doubt, Fellaini is indeed being deployed as the central striker.

Juan Mata and Ander Herrera look to be playing just behind, with Carrick and Schweinsteiger holding. Depay is out on the left flank.

Slight De Gea overkill as the stadium announcer deliberately leaves his name until last in order for the Spaniard to receive a rapturous round of applause from around Old Trafford.

Referee Michael Oliver gives a sharp blast of his whistle and this derby is underway.

De Gea's name rings out from the Stretford End as the two teams re-emerge. A customary pre-match chorus of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' emerging from the 3,063-strong away following.

De Gea received a warm reception from the majority of supporters before returning to the dressing room. It remains to be seen, however, if his decision to sign that new contract was a genuine long-term commitment to United or a calculated decision designed to help secure his move back to La Liga next summer as well as ensure he is able to play regular football once again ahead of Euro 2016.

Just over 15 minutes until kick-off now.

As for the hosts, former Burnley striker Danny Ings is handed his first Premier League start for Liverpool as he replaces the suspended Coutinho. That is Brendan Rodgers' only change.

An update from Van Gaal on that injury for Rooney, who will no doubt be hugely disappointed to miss out after receiving a timely confidence boost by surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton on the all-time England scoring list at Wembley on Tuesday.

So, fresh from an eventful fortnight in which he saw a move to Real Madrid collapse at the final hurdle on deadline day before signing a new four-year deal, David de Gea returns in goal for Manchester United at the expense of Sergio Romero. Tonight will mark the Spaniard's first game of the season.

Football's most-expensive teenager, Anthony Martial, takes a seat on the substitutes' bench following his somewhat surprising £36m transfer from AS Monaco. As was reported overnight, captain Wayne Rooney is omitted from Louis van Gaal's squad with a hamstring issue. Marouane Fellaini looks set to lead the line in his absence.

United's third and final change sees Michael Carrick, who pulled out of the England squad prior to their Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland in midweek, partner Bastian Schweinsteiger in central midfield. Morgan Schneiderlin drops out.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez, Lucas, Can, Milner, Firmino, Ings, Benteke

Subs: Bogdan, Toure, Sakho, Moreno, Origi, Rossiter, Ibe

Manchester United: De Gea; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw; Carrick, Schweinsteiger; Mata, Herrera, Memphis; Fellaini

Subs: Romero, McNair, Rojo, Schneiderlin, Valencia, Young, Martial

Manchester United v Liverpool - a high-profile fixture and a historic rivalry that scarcely needs any introduction.

The first meeting of the 2015/16 season between these old foes takes place at Old Trafford, where the hosts will be looking to bounce back from that 2-1 defeat to Swansea suffered before the international break.

Liverpool also lost their unbeaten record last time out, seeing Philippe Coutinho dismissed during a truly dismal 3-0 home loss at the hands of an inconsistent West Ham side.

If it is breaking team news, confirmed line-ups and live updates that you seek, then you are certainly in the right place. Stay tuned for what should be a very exciting evening...