IT seems it will take a lot more than disdain for a controversial American ownership to dilute the appeal of the North West’s most bitter football rivalry.

Liverpool travel down the East Lancs Road tomorrow for the latest instalment in their scrap for supremacy, both in the region and the tag of England’s most decorated top-flight club.

As with so many historically hostile encounters, the pair are more alike than perhaps they would care to admit.

And both sets of supporters have shared a common bond in recent times in their opposition to their club’s owners, United speaking out against the Glazer family while Liverpool followers still pray for the day Tom Hicks and George Gillett leave the club.

With Liverpool’s banks having set an October deadline to call in their debts, the American duo, and Hicks in particular, have been frantically attempting to refinance, refinance and refinance some more in an effort to hold on to the Anfield outfit.

In the meantime, Liverpool have soldiered on, manager Roy Hodgson forced to generate his own funds in the transfer market this summer.

The big-money sale of Javier Mascherano allowed scope for a replacement that has come in the form of Portugal international midfielder Raul Meireles, an £11.5million arrival from Porto.

Meireles was quietly impressive on his first start for Liverpool in the 4-1 win over Steaua Bucharest in Thursday’s Europa League group opener, and is now hopeful of retaining his place for tomorrow’s trip to Old Trafford.

But why move to a different country and a different lifestyle at a place where the only certainty is uncertainty itself?