Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer says Manchester United against Liverpool will always be one of THE big games of the Premier League.

Shearer wrote in The Sun: "The rivalry between the clubs has been huge for half a century but the respect even greater.

"When Sir Alex spoke about knocking Liverpool off their perch it was, in many ways, paying them the ultimate respect. They are both clubs we should all be proud of.

"They, more than anyone, have taken English football to the world and made it loved.

"I have been to villages in Uganda and Kenya in my work for Sport Relief. They were in the middle of nowhere, no television, no radio. Yet you would find Liverpool and United shirts.

"Sir Alex mentioned last season that the clubs needed each other.

"He's right for they have driven each other on. United opened the doors to Europe as Sir Matt Busby saw it as the future of the game.

"Liverpool made it their dream to emulate the 1968 success of their near neighbours. They did that, blazing a trail through Europe with four crowns in the 70s and 80s and another in 2005.

"United restored themselves to the pinnacle of the game in 1999 and 2008. That was not enough because the challenge of surpassing Liverpool's 18 titles drove them on still more.

"A challenge is thrown down and response comes.

"It is sad that Liverpool can no longer be considered contenders when it comes to the title race.

"Yet for history, meaning and sheer passion he knows there is nothing like the Liverpool game."