It leaves Liverpool trailing their bitter rivals by 11 points, but on the evidence of this display, the Reds cannot claim the gap is deceptive.
MANCHESTER UNITED against Liverpool is a game in which the home club have the upper hand. Sir Alex Ferguson's side may have been knocked off the top by Chelsea before this Sunday fixture gets underway, but the title chasers have won twice as many Premiership matches as Liverpool (six to three) and lead them by eight points - the pair having both played eight matches. Defeat for the visitors would leave them trailing by 11 points and would severely dent their hopes of catching up.
United were never at their best, but it was still enough to cope with an uninspiring Liverpool.
This match will mark Paul Scholes' 500th career appearance in a Manchester United shirt, and Wayne Rooney's 100th for the Old Trafford club.
With just Kuyt up front, Liverpool set out to stifle United in midfield, making for a scrappy opening to the game.
United have won twice as many Premiership matches as they have lost against Liverpool (won 14, lost seven). Only one goal was scored in the two League meetings last season. That was Rio Ferdinand's last minute header, which snatched all three points in an uninspiring corresponding fixture, and sparked Gary Neville's disgraceful celebration in front of the Liverpool fans.
The hosts had the better of the first half, with Louis Saha looking particularly dangerous up front, but Liverpool did have their chances.
LIVERPOOL are an enigma this season. They've dropped only two points at home, but are still to win away. The opening day 1-1 draw at Sheffield United is their only point and only goal from four games on the road this season. As that goal was a penalty from Robbie Fowler, Rafael Benitez' side are still to score from open play in a League game away from Anfield.
After just seven minutes, Kuyt stole into the box unmarked but Steven Gerrard's cross was too high.
Between them Liverpool and Manchester United have won 33 League titles. But the last of the Reds' record 18 was in 1989-90, since when the Red Devils have been crowned Premiership champions eight times, and are desperate this season to pick up their ninth and first in four attempts. Both sides enjoyed success in the Champions League midweek, but Liverpool, arguably, would have been given a greater confidence boost from a 0-1 victory over Bordeaux in France, than United would have gained from a 3-0 victory over Copenhagen at Old Trafford.
Kuyt was again involved on the half hour mark when Gonzalez rocketed past Ferdinand on the left and crossed for the Dutch striker, who headed too close to Edwin van der Sar.
The Merseysiders are looking for a 50th League victory over United, and are hoping to complete back-to-back wins against them, having knocked the Red Devils out of the FA Cup on 18 February. Peter Crouch scored the only goal in that fifth round victory.
While Gonzalez's speed was impressive, his shooting was far less so, the winger twice fluffing long-range efforts, and a minute after his second effort, United went ahead.
REFEREE
Scholes found Wayne Rooney before stealing into the box to get on the end of Ryan Giggs' cross.
Rafael Benitez watched only five minutes of the second half before making his first substitution, bringing on Jermaine Pennant for Gonzalez.
1. Won the last four in all competitions.
That allowed Gerrard to move into the centre, but the changes failed to inspire Liverpool and United scored a deserved second after 66 minutes.
2. Won 17 of 22 Premiership matches, including six of eight this season.
Jamie Carragher, injured in a tackle minutes earlier, mishit his clearance and the ball came to Ferdinand, who sidestepped John Arne Riise and confidently swept the ball into the top corner.
3. Failed to score in just one top flight game this season (the 0-1 home loss to Arsenal on 17 September).
Benitez introduced Peter Crouch as Liverpool looked desperately for a spark of inspiration, but it failed to materialise as United easily held on.
4. One draw short of 1,000 in the club's League history.
5. Boast the best goal difference in the Premiership of +12.
6. Have the strongest attack in the Premier League of 17 goals, averaging one every 42 minutes of Premiership football played this season.
7. Hold a 100% record when opening the scoring in League games this season (won five of five).
8. Hold a 100% record when a Premiership clean sheet has been kept (won three of three). 9. Three away fixtures follow this, against Crewe in the Carling Cup, Bolton in the Premiership and FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, before returning to Old Trafford for the visit of Portsmouth.
LIVERPOOL Club stats Fixtures Going into the weekend: 11th 11 points(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premiership fixtures)
1. The last three Premiership games have resulted in a win, a defeat and a draw in that order.
2. Not won away from home in the Premiership in over five months since the 1-3 victory at Portsmouth on the last day of last season on 7 May.
3. Lost to Everton, Chelsea and Bolton without scoring a single goal in the last three away League games.
4. Failed to score in three of their last six Premiership games.
5. Completed 290 minutes (four hours 50 minutes) of League football on the road without scoring.
6. Conceded the opening goal in six of their eight League games.
7. Hold a 100% record when scoring the opening goal (won two of two, against Newcastle 2-0 and Tottenham 3-0).
8. Hold a 100% record when a Premiership clean sheet has been kept (won two of two).
Paul SCHOLES will become the ninth player in Manchester United history to complete 500 appearances for the club if he plays. He'll also be the third player in the current squad to do so, after Ryan GIGGS and Gary NEVILLE.
If they play, Kieran RICHARDSON and Nemanja VIDIC will be playing on their 22nd and 25th birthdays respectively.
If he starts, Wes BROWN will be making his 200th start for Manchester United.
Louis SAHA is United's leading scorer with six goals.
Rio FERDINAND is the only player to have been on the field for every minute of United's Premiership matches this season.
