Good evening and thank you for joining Sports Mole for live text commentary of the International Champions Cup final between Liverpool and Manchester United at the Sun Life Stadium.

We have a mouth-watering clash on our hands this evening, as two of the biggest teams in World football go head-to-head in Florida. Manchester United and Liverpool have won a combined 38 English league titles between them, and although this is billed as a pre-season friendly, you can be sure that each team will be going for the win.

Sun Life Stadium ahead of tonight's @IntChampionsCup final #LFCTour pic.twitter.com/iV4OpQIP1j — LFC USA (@LFCUSA) August 4, 2014

There is no Premier League title at stake this evening, but whoever comes out on top today will win the International Champions Cup. Man Utd have begun the Louis van Gaal era in great form and they have beaten Roma and Real Madrid on their way to this final. Meanwhile, Liverpool edged out Olympiacos, before beating Manchester City on penalties following a 2-2 draw. They were already assured of a place in today's match before a final group stage win over AC Milan.

The team news is in and I can now reveal the starting lineups, with Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal making an interesting choice as to who captains his side this evening.

MAN UTD XI: De Gea, Evans, Smalling, Jones, Valencia, Herrera, Fletcher, Young, Mata, Rooney, Hernandez

LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet, Kelly, Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Gerrard, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Lambert

Let's start with Man United, who have named Wayne Rooney as their captain today. He has not worn the armband for the Red Devils in pre-season, but this is surely an indication that he will lead the team out in their opening Premier League match against Swansea City. Starting alongside him will be Javier Hernandez, who scored last time out against Real Madrid. Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans continue in the back three, while Ander Herrera and Darren Fletcher will do battle in the heart of the midfield.

Meanwhile, Rickie Lambert is the only one of Liverpool's summer signings to start today. He will receive support in the attack from Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling. Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen start in a strong looking midfield, while Glen Johnson and Martin Skrtel will offer experience in the back four.

In recent years United have dominated the English game, but last season saw a reversal in the club's fortunes. They struggled badly under David Moyes, who was sacked after only 10 months in the job, and finished seventh in the Premier League. Hopes are high that Louis van Gaal will lead them back to their glory days and at the very least a top four finish that will seal a return to the Champions League.

Juan Mata and the rest of the @ManUtd team make their way into the stadium! @IntChampionsCup #GICC2014 pic.twitter.com/LJmuLZpQBv — Sun Life Stadium (@SunLifeStadium) August 4, 2014

It was a completely different story for Liverpool, who had looked set to end a barren run of 24 years without the title. From the start of 2014, they went on a 16-game unbeaten run, before crashing to a 2-0 defeat against an understrength Chelsea side at Anfield. That loss was followed by a 3-3 draw against Crystal Palace after they had let slip a three-goal lead which effectively ended their hopes. They needed to win their final game of the season and hope that Manchester City lost at home to West Ham United, but Manuel Pellegrini's side made light work of their opponents as the Blues wrapped up a second Premier League title in three seasons.

PHOTO: Inside the #LFC dressing room at the Sun Life Stadium #lfctour pic.twitter.com/x5LeGG1dHg

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 4, 2014

Liverpool's dominance over United last season showed in the two Premier League clashes between the teams. An early goal from Daniel Sturridge saw Liverpool claim a 1-0 win over United in the opening weeks of the season, before they completed the double over their opponents with a crushing 3-0 win at Old Trafford in March. Steven Gerrard scored twice from the spot and Luis Suarez struck late on, in what was a day that many Red Devils fans will want to forget ever happened.

© AFP

Despite all that took place last time around, this season already looks like it is going to be very different for each side. United's appointment of Van Gaal has brought a renewed optimism to fans of the club and it is easy to see why. If his impressive CV wasn't enough, his exploits with the Netherlands at the World Cup this summer will have convinced any detractors. The Dutch switched to a 3-5-2 formation just weeks before the tournament started, but it did not stop them from romping to a 5-1 victory against holders Spain in their first match.

Victories against Australia and Chile followed, before they claimed a last-ditch victory over Mexico in the round of 16. They then faced Costa Rica, and following a goalless 120 minutes, penalties were needed to separate the teams. Van Gaal had brought on Tim Krul for his first-choice goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen at the end of the match and the decision paid off with the Newcastle United player making two saves from the spot as they won the shootout. Although the Netherlands fell at the semi-final stage, the manager showed his future employees that he was not afraid to make big calls at the vital moments.

Since Van Gaal took charge the club have not set the transfer market alight, but they have managed to bring in two important players. Midfielder Ander Herrera joined in a £29m deal from Athletic Bilbao, while English teenager Luke Shaw moved from Southampton for £27m. The club have been linked to countless other players this summer, but one name that keeps coming up is that of Arturo Vidal. The Chile international has been the best player in Serie A since he joined Juventus, and it would certainly be a major coup for the Red Devils if he were to sign.

As for Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers is set to continue the fantastic work he has done in his time at Anfield, but there has been plenty of activity in the transfer market. The biggest story of the summer as far as the Reds are concerned, is the departure of Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan completed his £75m move to Barcelona last month, following his four-month ban from football.

Although Suarez's exit is an huge blow to Liverpool, they have spent nearly £90m bringing in new players this summer. Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren have all arrived from Southampton, while Emre Can, Lazar Markovic and Divock Origi have also made the move to Anfield. There is no doubt that the Reds have made some quality signings, but it remains to be seen who can replace the 31 goals that Suarez netted for them as they finished second in the Premier League last season.

If the 90 minutes of football isn't enough excitement, then we have a special performance at half-time from Dutch DJ Martin Garrix. The 18-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough year following his worldwide hit 'Animals'. He has followed up that success with number one tracks such as 'Wizard', 'Tremor' and 'Gold Skies' and recently headlined the world's biggest festival Tomorrowland last month. Having seen him live a few weeks ago, I can tell you that the crowd are in for a treat!

Looking forward to playing at tonight's @IntChampionsCup finals match halftime show featuring @LFC vs. @ManUtd at @SunLifeStadium!!! — MARTIN GARRIX (@MartinGarrix) August 4, 2014

Next week United face Valencia in their last game of the pre-season, before they start their Premier League campaign against Swansea City on August 16. Liverpool have one more friendly against Borussia Dortmund next weekend, before a league clash against Southampton on August 17.

We're warming up here in Miami for the @IntChampionsCup! Who do you think will be crowned champion? @LFC @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/mWCCVu4wTc

— Sun Life Stadium (@SunLifeStadium) August 4, 2014

PREDICTION: There are 10 minutes until kick off and we could be in for quite some match, as neither manager will want to go into the season with a defeat against their fiercest rival. United have played some outstanding football over the last fortnight, but Liverpool have also shown glimpses of the class that they have at their disposal. I just feel that Van Gaal's men will have a bit too much quality in attack for their opponents to deal with and I see the match finishing 2-1 in United's favour.

The stadium here this evening holds nearly 75,000 people for football matches, which would be quite some turnout for a pre-season match, although United's last game against Real Madrid saw 109,318 attendees at Michigan Stadium.

The teams have finished their warm-ups and the national anthem has been sung. Not long now! #mutour pic.twitter.com/BR5isd9Qey — Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 4, 2014

The Americans certainly know how to put on a show. A display of fireworks has just gone off on the pitch, as the players make their way out of the tunnel. We are now just a few minutes away from the kick off!

KICKOFF! We are underway at the Sun Life Stadium!

We are still yet to see our first chance on goal, but Liverpool have shown some neat touches on the ball and they win an early corner on the right. However, Gerrard's set piece isn't great and the United defence clear the ball comfortably.

CHANCE! Some great play from United almost ends up with the game's first goal. Fletcher plays a wonderful ball wide for Young, who swings a teasing cross into the box for Hernandez, but the striker can't turn the ball into the net from just a few yards out.

SUBSTITUTION: United have made an early change, with Shaw coming on for Valencia.

CHANCE! It's Liverpool's turn to fashion a chance as they win a free kick in a decent position around 30 yards out from goal. Instead of shooting, Gerrard lifts a ball into the box, which should be dealt with by Hernandez, but the striker heads it straight to Henderson, who can only nod his effort over the bar.

PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL! Liverpool have been awarded a spot kick after Jones goes lunging in on Sterling inside the box and gets nowhere near the ball.

Liverpool do score from the spot, as Gerrard confidently slots his effort into the back of the net. That is the start that Rodgers will have wanted from his team and it has given them a great platform to build upon.

Liverpool's high pressing game has certainly caused their opponents problems this evening and Sterling in particular is giving the defence a hard time. That goal has knocked United out of their stride and they will want to get themselves settled and start passing the ball as well as they did in the opening minutes.

It's Liverpool's turn to give the ball away inside the their own half and Mata is quickly onto it. He has time and space to measure a shot from outside the box, but can only smash his effort into the covering defenders.

Young delivered a brilliant cross into the box in the early stages of this match and he has just whipped another fine ball into the middle, but it is just out of the reach of Hernandez, who is unable to get on the end of it.

United are seeing more and more of the ball and they are getting into some great positions in the final third. Some fine play then sees Mata get free down the left, but his delivery is poor and doesn't pick out any of his teammates in the box.

CHANCE! Coutinho comes close for the Reds with a powerful drive from the edge of the box that looks like it's heading into the bottom corner, but De Gea gets down well to keep out the strike. That was some fine goalkeeping from the Spaniard.

Rooney found the back of the net with a stunner against Roma in this tournament, but he hasn't found his range yet this evening. He has the perfect chance to test the keeper with a free kick 25 yards out from goal, but he can only strike his effort into the wall.

The game has settled down slightly over the past few minutes, with both defences holding firm. United have seen more of the possession, but when they lose the ball in the midfield, Liverpool are flooding forward in numbers as they try to counter.

Big call from the referee, as for the second time this evening Sterling goes down in the box. At first glance it looked like the Liverpool man was fouled by Herrera, but the American official waved play on.

I've already spoken about Young's crossing ability today and he has just whipped another brilliant ball into the box, that is well punched clear from Mignolet, with Hernandez lurking behind him.

United have been guilty of giving the ball away quite cheaply in this half, which Van Gaal will not be too happy with. They are being especially careless along their backline, which is not the best idea when you are playing against someone like Sterling who is just waiting for a lapse in concentration.

We haven't seen a strike on goal for some time, but Kelly works some space after driving through the midfield before shooting from range, but his effort goes well wide of the far post.

It's Sterling's time to shoot from range now, as he cuts in from the left before attempting to bend an effort past De Gea. He didn't quite catch the shot how he wanted and it ends up going comfortably through to the keeper.

The first half comes to an end and it's Liverpool who lead thanks to Gerrard's penalty. There weren't too many chances, but it's the Merseysiders who have the advantage in Miami.

Gerrard's goal will bring back memories of his two strikes back at Old Trafford earlier this year. The captain has found the back of the net nine times against the Red Devils in competitive fixtures. It all came from a great piece of play from Sterling, who was unlucky not to win a second penalty later in the half.

PHOTO: The skipper sends #LFC in front against Manchester United in Miami #LFCTour pic.twitter.com/PN7laLHc49 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 5, 2014

The half-time show is taking place now and Martin Garrix is putting on a set for the fans inside the stadium. Of course he has played 'Animals', which is going down a treat with the Miami crowd!

Forget about a half-time raffle... Miami knows how to put on a show. #mutour pic.twitter.com/5uBmxSeiI2 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 5, 2014

We will surely see a number of changes at the break, which is to be expected in a pre-season friendly. United have already had to make a change, with Shaw coming on for Valencia in the first 10 minutes. I will be sure to let you know what subs have been made as soon as they are announced.

The half-time show has now finished and it shouldn't be too long before the match resumes. Let's hope that some of those tracks played by Martin Garrix has livened up the players for the next 45 minutes!

Man United take the kick off and we are back underway.

SUBSTITUTIONS: United have made two changes at the break, with Cleverley and Blackett coming on for Evans and Fletcher.

CHANCE! The first chance of the half comes to Liverpool following a mistake by their opponents. It's Herrera who gives the ball away cheaply, with Gerrard taking advantage. The Liverpool skipper then spots Lambert ahead of him just inside the box, but the striker's first-time shot lacks the required power to beat the keeper.

CHANCE! Liverpool come close again as Sterling is slipped into the box, before he cuts on to his right foot and drills in a low strike that takes a big deflection of Smalling before heading inches wide of the near post. De Gea was left rooted to the spot and just watched as the ball went agonizingly wide.

YELLOW CARD! Shaw picks up the first booking of the evening for United.

United are level and it's a fine goal from Rooney. Hernandez is played the ball out wide and he looks up and spots Rooney at the far post. His cross is inch perfect and Rooney makes no mistake with a precise volley across Mignolet and into the far corner of the net.

In the space of a couple of minutes United have turned this game around! Mata is picked out on the edge of the box by Shaw, and he lets fly with an effort that takes a deflection of Sakho and ends up in the back of the net. What a great response this has been from Van Gaal's side.

Those goals have certainly livened up the atmosphere and we should have quite some game for the last 30 minutes. Just a reminder that if the match finishes level then we will head straight to a penalty shootout.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Liverpool have made a triple change, with Can, Ibe and Lucas replacing Allen, Lambert and Gerrard.

We almost have a controversial moment as Rooney taps the ball into the net, after it appears it to come back off the crossbar. However, the replays show that the ball was out of play and had actually came back off the stanchion. A goal was initially given by the referee, but the score remains 2-1 to United.

SUBSTITUTIONS: United make a double change, with Nani and Kagawa coming on for Mata and Hernandez.

We haven't seen much of a threat from Liverpool in this second half, following a decent five minutes after the break. United are well on top and look confident in possession. They are moving the ball around well and seem the more likely of the teams to score the next goal.

SUBSTITUTION: Toure is coming on for Liverpool, with Sakho heading off.

It will be interesting to see what Van Gaal has made of Rooney's performance as the team's captain today. He certainly took his goal well and looks to have relished the extra responsibly that the armband brings.

SUBSTITUTION: It's another change for Liverpool, with Peterson on for Coutinho.

SUBSTITUTION: United also make a sub, as Lingard replaces Herrera.

Having just praised Rooney, has has played an awful backpass that ends up going straight out of play for a corner. Liverpool can't make anything of the set piece though, as United clear the danger.

Liverpool are looking to end this game strongly and Henderson shows good strength to burst down the right, before pulling the ball back across the box. None of his teammates are in the middle to get on the end of the ball, but Sterling keeps the move alive. He does well to work some space and play in a low cross, but his delivery is well cleared.

YELLOW CARD! Rooney picks up the second booking of the match for United for a foul on Sterling.

It's surely all over now, as Lingard scores the third goal of the evening for United. Young's cross from out wide is missed by Kagawa, but it falls kindly to Lingard on the edge of the box. The striker then takes a touch, before rifling a strike into the corner that leaves Mignolet helpless.

Manchester United have beaten Liverpool 3-1 in Miami to claim victory in the International Champions Cup. They produced a fine second half performance to turn the match around as their great start to life under Louis van Gaal continues.

FT: United 3 Liverpool 1. #mufc are ICC champions after goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard. #mutour pic.twitter.com/RH50KUBYox — Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 5, 2014

Some of United's play this evening was fantastic and they have deserved their win this evening. As for Liverpool, they never really looked like adding to their first-half goal and offered little attacking threat after the break.

That's all we've got time for here this evening. We will have more live pre-season action for you coming up as we build up to the new campaign. I hope you have enjoyed our coverage. Until next time, Goodbye!