Jose Mourinho has warned Liverpool he is returning to Anfield this weekend with a stronger Manchester United side than last season.
Mourinho's side ground out a 0-0 draw at Anfield last October as the United boss was still getting to grips with his new players and trying to get his ideas across to them.
But United return to the home of their arch rivals on Saturday, boosted by the £75million arrival of Romelu Lukaku, who has seven goals in as many Premier League games this season.
Mourinho's side have also been strengthened by the £40m signing of Nemanja Matic from Chelsea, with the United boss adamant he has a more formidable team at his disposal now.
“I think we are a better team,” said Mourinho. “I think it's a natural progression. A few new players, more understanding between all of us, good results, playing well and being dominant.”
On the impact made by Lukaku and Matic, Mourinho said: “One scores goals and another is a midfield player, one we always need to give us more stability in our football and, in this moment, we're a team with good stability, with good control of matches.
“I think Matic has been important for that, and we are scoring our goals. And our striker, our No.9, is someone who has made a very strong arrival at the club.
“He has four of five years' more experience, playing every weekend in the Premier League, progressing from West Brom to Everton and now Manchester United.
“It's the natural progression of a talented player now, obviously, much more mature and close to being the end product.”
United are level on points at the top of the Premier League with local rivals Manchester City, who are ahead on goal difference, with Liverpool the first real test for Mourinho's side this season.
“You can say, like some people do, that we haven't played one of the top five teams,” said Mourinho.
“But last season we didn't beat West Ham at home, last season we didn't beat Everton at home or Southampton away.
“Globally we're a better team, but does that mean we're going to be as successful as last season, winning two titles? I don't know, but we are better.”