"I played against United for West Ham but I missed the Chelsea game because I was injured. I think Liverpool have got the makings of champions," said Etherington.
"It's very tight up there this year. I think United will be everyone's favourites and rightly so because they're champions, and European and World Club champions.
"They've got a lot of quality in their side, but Liverpool have been doing well and grinding out results all season, so I definitely think they will be involved."