The Merseysiders are licking their wounds having been ousted from a three-way Premier League title race between the Reds, Chelsea and Arsenal.
The final member of the so-called English Big Four are now scrapping for a Champions League lifeline.
Rafa Benitez's side took the Reds to the wire last term in the race for the crown thanks to a stunning 4-1 Old Trafford win - 12 months ago last weekend.
Sir Alex Ferguson's champions held off the challenge but this season Liverpool have collapsed as a force both at home and abroad.
However, Fletcher insists Liverpool can still upset United's apple-cart.
"It would be very dangerous to think this is a poor Liverpool side coming to Old Trafford because they will be anything but," the Scottish midfielder told MEN Sport.
"It would be a huge mistake to think that Liverpool aren't a threat. They maybe haven't had the season we expected after the one they had last year but they are still a dangerous side.
"They are still the same team they were last year in the main. We know what they are capable of because they pushed us all the way and dished out that defeat here and the one at Anfield this season. They are still fresh in our memories.
"They still have a lot to play for because they are battling for fourth spot. On their day they are capable of beating anyone.
"We have to learn the lessons from last year's game. The warnings are there. If you are not 100 per cent focused and you make mistakes then Liverpool will punish you.
"After last season everyone thought they would kick-on this year and would be right up there again. A lot of people tipped them to win the league. It hasn't turned out that way for whatever reason.
"It is a real surprise to me they haven't been up with us. But they'll still be fired up to win at Old Trafford again.
"Last March's defeat was difficult to swallow at the time. We were in the middle of the run-in and to lose against Liverpool, who were challenging us and especially at home, was tough.
"It is not about revenge. It is simply about the match and the title run-in."
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Lovemore Sithole (17/03/2010 at 09:06)
Newtown Red, Sydney (17/03/2010 at 09:07)
Nice battle cry Fletch
Liverpool will do everything they can to topple us on Sunday and have the players to hurt us. Saying that, after seeing that GBH assault by Gerard go unpunished by the FA and the Mr Magoo sponsored referee hopefully they have had their luck for the week.
nory ida (17/03/2010 at 09:11)
stevi, france (17/03/2010 at 09:25)
A Manc and blue (17/03/2010 at 09:47)
Darryl Titus (17/03/2010 at 09:54)
TMUF, Manchester (17/03/2010 at 09:54)
Winning for them will make their season. For us, its one more game out of the way towards our 19th and 4th consecutive title.
Duncan, London (17/03/2010 at 10:00)
Monkey tennis?, yes please (17/03/2010 at 10:04)
Anyway, fletch is right, they'll come all guns blazing and raise their game - everyone raises their game at OT - or wilts. If they wilt it'll be a rout and a Mr Rooney hat trick - if not, it'll be a tight contest, and Balders - you'll need that Tena match pack!!
Dan (17/03/2010 at 10:07)
We are just obsessed with winning and winning in style and nothing else. That is the culture of our club.
many thanks
P.S. oh and u will always be bitter ....
Laura Norder, Didsbury (17/03/2010 at 10:35)
Not at all.
Liverpool are United's real rivals - City, merely a sideshow attraction.
Glazer out..., Manchester (17/03/2010 at 10:47)
17/03/2010 at 09:47
LOL. Liverpool are our main rivals. Not city.
United 18, Huddersfield Town 3, City 2 (League Titles), Wilmslow (17/03/2010 at 10:59)
17/03/2010 at 09:47
Liverpool are our true Rivals - we have won similar amounts of trophys and both clubs have massive history.
There is a big difference between bitterness and hatred.
Bitterness is something city fans feel about united. They are bitter about the amount of trophys and history we have, the great stadium, the huge fanbase, the worldwide support and recognition, the fact we put Manchester on the map in football terms and the fact United are 10 times bigger than city.
Hatred is something United fans feel towards scousers and vice versa because of...well you all know why.
Red-Brit-in-It (17/03/2010 at 11:01)
Finally, I see we have a genuine question from a Manc and a Blue. Well, yes, maybe we are obsessed with the Scousers, because after all they've won the same number of titles as us. If we win this one we go past them. It's hard to be obsessed with City because you haven't won anything for 35 years.
r.swipes (17/03/2010 at 11:04)
But start thinking revenge and you end up with red cards, pick up unwanted injuries and a five goal thriller to boot - that will be business as usual then !
A Manc and blue (17/03/2010 at 11:15)
United 18, Huddersfield Town 3, City 2 (League Titles), Wilmslow
17/03/2010 at 10:59
The debate on where the liverpool / Manchester rivalry has people given different reasons. It is my understanding it came from the dockers. Ships came up the mersey and before the ship canal was built there dockers were getting all the pickings. Once the docks were built the pickings and freebies ended up being unloaded here. In the 70 / 80's Liverpool have been the team everyone has been trying to over take. Yes you have equaled and may be beat there league titles this year. But when it comes to overall success everyone is behind theres. Even Fergie is quoted as saying he wants to catch Liverpool
schgittor (17/03/2010 at 11:23)
Lord Ruud (17/03/2010 at 12:01)
If we can get the first goal on Sunday I think we'll be okay. That wasn't the case last time, but we are playing with a bit more pace and expression than at the same point last season. Amazing that Gerrard has survived two incidents to be available for the match and with Torres up front, I just hope Vidic learns not to have a breakdown again - 4 consecutive reds against Liverpool would be stupid and costly. Last time around against Liverpool at OT, we lost out to silly route one style goals and Evra and Vidic both had nightmares in terms of handling anyone running in behind them. I trust Fergie will be putting this right for Sunday.
I personally would like to see Berbatov and Rooney in a 4-4-2 as both players can cause a multitude of problems for Liverpool, although I expect to see Fergie line-up with a bit of the old tried and trusted meaning the same back 5 as started against Fulham with Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes and Nani in midfield and Rooney up front alone. Valencia and Berbatov would then be used from the bench if required. That line-up would be harsh on Berbatov who is coming into form, but it seems to be the 'big game' default we like to use.
Tom Quinn (17/03/2010 at 12:39)
A manc and a blue I think you are wrong there on United being behind Liverpool, United are level on league titles, united have won more FA cups and Liverpool more league cups, the only big difference is the European cup with 3 compared to 5, but that is only 2 years work for us know. The big difference is Uniteds success is in the past and also relevant to the present day, whereas the bin dippers have not won the league for 20 years and were extremely lucky to beat AC Milan in 2005.
George Scales , M24 you know the score (17/03/2010 at 12:44)
Anyway let's hope we're uber fired up for our biggest game of the season (sorry likkel siddy you don't come close)and grab the points, I'd take a scruffy 1-0 win right now thank you very much, or 3-0 and get the cigars out with a Wayne 'Bald Patch' Rooney hat-trick :)
Kiyonori Tada (17/03/2010 at 12:50)
United 18, Huddersfield Town 3, City 2 (League Titles), Wilmslow (17/03/2010 at 13:03)
17/03/2010 at 11:15
If United win the league this year they will match Liverpools haul of 40 Major Trophy's and go 1 ahead in the most important trophy of them all - the League. So I think you will find we have surpassed the scousers, plus we are still in the Champions League with by the looks of it us and Barca the favourites. This is a big IF of course
I am the one and only, Tameside (17/03/2010 at 13:19)
A Manc and blue,
17/03/2010 at 09:47
Hypocritic Rags hatered for Liverpool and City but worst for their owners!!! NUFF SAID!
paul salmon (17/03/2010 at 13:24)
Somehow these past couple of seasons we have allowed them to better us on the day, subjecting every true red to unimaginable pain. Well now's the time to inflict pain of our own!
I cannot guess which formation SAF will go with, but either 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 wil succeed ... just as long as we remain focussed and hungry. We are WAY better than them, so lets show it!
Come on Utd!!!!!!!
Paul, Whalley Range
BlueSte, HULME - Hate United Love Malcolm's Exploitation (17/03/2010 at 13:37)