Manchester United will entertain Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon hoping to put a dent on the visitors’ title charge while also boosting their own top 4 hopes with a win this weekend. The Red Devils are currently enjoying a rich vein of form under their interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær with their only real blip coming against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League earlier this month.
On the other hand, Jurgen Klopp’s men have struggled to cope with injuries recently which has seen their lead disappear at the top of the league standings. The Reds will have an excellent opportunity to leapfrog Manchester City and go back to the top of the table if they can secure a result at the Theatre of Dreams.
Both sides are expected to opt for a 4-3-3 formation which makes this a fascinating tactical battle between two teams going all out for the win on Sunday.
Team News
Manchester United
Both Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard are significant doubts for this game as they face a race against time to be fit for this clash. Matteo Darmian, Antonio Valencia and Marcos Rojo are also unlikely to be available for this encounter at Old Trafford.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp won’t have the services of Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez available for this contest. Moreover, both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster remain long-term casualties for the Reds.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United
David De Gea; Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw; Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba; Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku
Liverpool
Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum; Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane
Key Men
Manchester United
David De Gea will once again be a busy keeper in goal for the Mancunian outfit on Sunday as he attempts to keep a clean sheet while up against one of the most feared attacks in Europe. The defensive performances of Lindelof and Smalling will also be integral if the Red Devils are to come away with a positive result from this game.
On the other side, both Pogba and Rashford will be expected to create chances and make a difference in the attacking end of the pitch.
Liverpool
Klopp’s front three of Mane, Salah and Firmino have underperformed over the past few weeks. Moreover, they don’t have a good goal-scoring record versus Man United which they are in dire need of rectifying this weekend. Van Dijk will be back in defence so a lot will ride on his shoulders if the Reds are to keep an all-important clean sheet at the back.
Odds
Manchester United win – 21/10
Draw – 5/2
Liverpool win – 11/8
