Milner: I can't think like a fan on the pitch

Growing up as a Leeds United fan in Yorkshire's largest city, the versatile former England international was perhaps destined never to be a favourite of Red Devils supporters.

But by representing his boyhood club and then playing for United's two other biggest rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool, Milner has ensured he is unlikely to ever get a warm reception at Old Trafford.

Thankfully, the No.7 doesn't mind too much, and is only happy to admit that he thoroughly enjoys getting one over on a club he has only ever treated as the enemy.

However, ahead of his latest expedition down the M62 for a Premier League meeting with United, Milner has talked up the importance of not letting his loyalties cloud his judgement. 

"I was brought up in Leeds as a Leeds fan and you're brought up not to like the red half of Manchester, that's the way it is," he said. 

"I'm sure they feel the same about me!

"It's just part of being a Leeds fan and then playing for the clubs I have as well, it's similar. 

"It's important then that you don't think like a fan when you're on the field, obviously. 

"[You show] that passion and you're desperate to win but that's when you can get caught up in the emotion and get sent off or lose your head.

"You fall into a player's mentality but you still have that passion to want to go and win the game."

Milner featured as the Reds played out a 0-0 draw with Jose Mourinho's men at Anfield back in October.

He expects a different game when the sides renew hostilities, and hopes the visitors can do more to impose their style of football upon United.

"Both teams have improved since then, there have been a lot of games," he added.

"With them changing the manager [over the summer], they'll be getting more into his style of play and how he wants them to play.

"I think it'll be a completely different game but it's important we stick to how we want to play. 

"That was the first game this year where we were maybe a bit slow in getting into our rhythm of how we want to play.

"That hasn't happened too many times this year. Last year we struggled for that consistency but I think [it's been] a big improvement this year - we've hit that level and played like we want to play in the majority of games.

"If we can continue doing what we've been doing over this recent period, we've got a good chance of taking all three points."

Since failing to break the Red Devils' rearguard on Merseyside earlier this season, Jürgen Klopp's team have won 10 of 15 outings in all competitions and suffered defeat just once.

As such, it is no surprise to hear Milner is full of confidence that three points can be collected at Old Trafford.

"We've proved we can beat anyone, home and away," he insisted.

"The way we're playing and the confidence in the squad, if we go there and play the way we can then I'm sure we can get the three points."

Hear more from Milner in our special big-game feature in the new episode of #LFCWORLD, available on demand for LFCTV GO subscribers above, which also includes a chat with rising local boxing star Robbie Davies Jnr. Click here to sign up.