In 1990, when Liverpool won the last of their 18 titles, United's tally stood at a meagre seven.

Yet that once impregnable lead has slowly been whittled away to the point where it no longer exists.

If United finish top this term, the record will be theirs for the first time in the Old Trafford club's illustrious history.

It is a fact not lost on Liverpool, who head to Old Trafford tomorrow knowing the only tangible domestic prize they can win this season is that coveted fourth spot, and with it entry into the Champions League.

"Nineteen titles is a motivation," said Fletcher.

"The fans are desperate for it. The club want to be the club with the most titles in English football.

"But there are a lot of motivations. As players we want that Premier League for the fourth time in a row. Then there are the defeats we had against them, both last season and this.

"Even more important, this game is worth another three points and that is what we will be looking for tomorrow."

For the respective sets of supporters, knowing victory for their side could scupper their rivals' hopes completely only adds more fuel to what is guaranteed to be a highly-charged atmosphere.

There is no doubting all the cash being poured into Eastlands from Abu Dhabi has rekindled Mancunian passion, but across the world, the confrontation between England's traditional superpowers is recognised as the biggest day on the calendar.

"A lot of people regard Liverpool as Manchester United's biggest game," conceded Fletcher.

"There are a lot of big games for this club.

"With all the money and remembering that great semi-final this year, that is an intensity with Manchester City that we have not really seen before.

"But when you look at the success Liverpool have had, and all those league titles, in many people's eyes this is the big derby match."

Ryan Giggs returns for the hosts after a seven-game absence following the broken arm he suffered at Aston Villa last month.

Nemanja Vidic will partner Rio Ferdinand in central defence, no doubt hoping to add to the three successive clean sheets the pair have helped United to keep recently, rather than the three red cards on the trot he has received in recent confrontations with Liverpool.

That entire trio of matches have been lost, the corresponding fixture last season by an astonishing 4-1 scoreline which at the time appeared to signal a return to prominence for the Merseyside giants.

The resurgence never materialised, although Fletcher will still be treating them with a combination of caution and respect.

"Liverpool have struggled for a consistent team this season, which is maybe why they have not challenged like they did last year," said Fletcher.

"But they are still battling for fourth place and they are getting their players fit now so they will be dangerous opposition.

"They managed to beat us on the last three times we have met so we need to be very wary.

"We know we have to be 100%. If we are not we could suffer the same fate as last season."

Sir Alex Ferguson has promised that will not happen.

Indeed, with the prize so great United are now scrapping for, the margin for error amongst the three contenders is very slim indeed.

Although their last encounter with a team from Merseyside ended in defeat to Everton, it was the low point of a run that has brought the Red Devils 29 points from their last 13 games.

With a Champions League destruction of AC Milan thrown in, there is a positive feeling around the Old Trafford camp just now that could yet take them to the biggest prizes.

"We feel confident," said Fletcher.

"We did really well against AC Milan and we need to put that sort of run together in the league and Europe if we are to achieve the success we want.

"When you look at how close it is, the team who puts that sort of run together will be crowned champions."