Former England and Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes Nemandja Vidic cannot allow his personal duel against Fernando Torres to dominate the match.

Speaking to The Daily Mail ahead of the massive clash between Manchester United and Liverpool tonight, Keown feels Vidic has to try to restraint himself whenever he comes up against Liverpool striker Torres and think of the team first and foremost.

"A strong mindset going into a game of this nature is what is needed. Vidic needs to focus on the team. It's not about a duel between him and Torres, it's Manchester United versus Liverpool," said Keown.

"He has allowed the threat of Torres to mushroom in his head and he cannot afford to allow this to happen again."

"He knows that he must get tight to Torres to combat his pace, but in recent matches he is clearly obsessed with getting tight instead of focusing on his core skills; his defensive instincts, good decision-making and decisive interceptions, which we saw from him last week against Fulham," he continued.

Billed as one of the key match-ups in the match at Old Trafford, Vidic has not had the best of games in the head-to-head encounters against Liverpool. He has been sent off in the last three league games against the Merseysiders and he struggled to contain Torres in the last two. Keown thinks he has the solution on how Vidic can stop Torres.

"Vidic likes to get tight and win the ball early. He is at his best when the attacker has his back to him, often pinching the ball as he turns. You don't often see opponents running at him - and that's when he is exposed. He needs to stand up more and use his upper body strength to outmuscle Torres.

"Rio Ferdinand has to play his part. He has to be able to react to danger and provide cover - he needs to recognise when his team-mate needs him."