The Premier League season may still be in its infancy, but Saturday's clash between Manchester United and Liverpool is already being billed as a potentially crucial encounter for the fierce rivals.
There is no love lost between two sides that always manage to produce great drama when they face each other and the teams go in search of morale-boosting bragging rights after disappointments before the international break.
United are looking to bounce back from a 2-1 reverse at Swansea City that followed laboured 1-0 wins over Tottenham and Aston Villa, as well as a 0-0 draw against Newcastle United.
Van Gaal will also need to contend with media reports that some of United's senior players are unhappy with his methods, which are sure to face further scrutiny should Liverpool return to Merseyside with all three points.
David de Gea, United's Player of the Year in each of the past two seasons, could make his first appearance of 2015-16 following the well-publicised collapse of the goalkeeper's transfer to Real Madrid on deadline day.
Captain Wayne Rooney has not scored in his past 10 Premier League games, but the striker will be buoyed by becoming England's record goalscorer during the international break - surpassing United legend Bobby Charlton's tally of 49.
Rooney, the former Everton man who always relishes this fixture due to his Merseyside roots, could have a new strike partner with Anthony Martial in line to make his debut after the teenager joined from Monaco.
For Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers will demand a response after his side were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by West Ham at Anfield last time out.
"We have to try to approach it the same way we approach every single game but we know there [is] a lot of [talking] and the fans are more excited about it," he told Liverpool's official website.
"For the players that have never played [the fixture], they just have to try to approach it the same way they always do."
