article_snippet: When Liverpool and Manchester United Manchester United meet at Anfield on Sunday, there will not be a single local lad starting in this iconic fixture for the first time in the Premier League era.
article_snippet: April 26 1992, the final time the two sides met in the old Division One, was the last time no player in Liverpool's starting XI was born within 30 miles of Anfield or a Manchester United player within the same distance from Old Trafford.
article_snippet: In the 53 league and cup meetings since, the likes of Steven Gerrard - likely to start from the bench on Sunday - Jamie Carragher, Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler have starred for Liverpool, while Manchester United's local lads have included Paul Scholes, Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Danny Welbeck.
article_snippet: Local lad James Wilson also started that game for Manchester United .
article_snippet: While Lancashire lad Mike Phelan, born 29 miles from Old Trafford, came off the bench that day for Manchester United.
article_snippet: In the most recent encounter between the two sides, a 3-0 home win for Manchester United in December, both clubs featured a local lad from the start.
article_snippet: Gerrard began the game for Liverpool, while James Wilson, born in Staffordshire 27.5 miles away from Old Trafford, was selected by Louis van Gaal.
article_snippet: Like Gerrard, there is also a possibility that Wilson and Tyler Blackett - also born in Manchester - could feature on Sunday.
article_snippet: Jon Flanagan, meanwhile, will return at some stage from injury to boost the Reds' Scouse contingent.
article_snippet: But with the departure of Welbeck from Manchester United last summer, and Gerrard leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, the chances are that the trend of no local lads starting the biggest game in English football will continue for a little while longer.
highlights_snippet: Steven Gerrard is set to start on the bench for Liverpool on Sunday .
  
highlights_snippet: Steven Gerrard means no local player (born within 30 miles of their stadium) will start for either side in this game for the first time in 23 years .
  
highlights_snippet: Manchester United travel to face Liverpool in the Premier League .
  
highlights_snippet: James Wilson and Tyler Blackett could be on the bench for Manchester United .