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Man United v Liverpool – Preview

Manchester United host bitter rivals Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, the two sides having played out a bore draw earlier in the campaign.

Here’s all you need to know about that huge clash at Old Trafford:

Form

Man United: WWWDW

After a week of intense drama involving the European Super League, Manchester United couldn’t have played out a less dramatic encounter at the weekend, in what was a frankly dreadful clash with rivals Leeds United.

Following the thrilling 6-2 affair the last time the two sides met, the expectation was for more fireworks at Elland Road, although the game ended as a fairly drab goalless draw, in which neither side really looked like scoring.

 

Although a disappointing performance from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, that point does further secure their place in the top four, while also extending their remarkable away league run, which now stands at 24 games in a row on the road without defeat.

While they have been impressive away from Old Trafford, their home form has been a little shaky, with all four of their Premier League defeats this season having come on their own turf, including a damaging defeat to bottom side Sheffield United earlier in the campaign.

That being said, their home form didn’t appear to be an issue on Thursday night, as they all but secured their place in the Europa League final after a stunning second-half display against AS Roma, the Red Devils coming back from 2-1 down at the break to record a thumping 6-2 win.

That second-half blitz saw Edinson Cavani produce an attacking masterclass and the veteran forward is likely to start once again on Sunday, with Solskjaer still without forward Anthony Martial who looks set to miss the rest of the season.

Liverpool: LWDDD

The champions are now facing the very real prospect of no Champions League football next season, after more dropped points at Anfield at the weekend put their top-four hopes in jeopardy.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were in complete control against an in-form Newcastle United side and took the lead through a superb Mo Salah strike.

After taking that early lead, Liverpool missed a catalogue of chances that ultimately proved costly, Magpies’ substitute Joe Willock snatching a point at the death after a late Callum Wilson effort had been controversially ruled out by VAR for handball.

That draw has left the Reds in sixth and four points off rivals Chelsea in fourth, the Blues currently looking the best bet to claim that coveted fourth spot ahead of the likes of West Ham, Liverpool and Tottenham.

After the highs of last season, to miss out on a top-four place would be a real disappointment for Klopp’s men, particularly as they were three points clear at the top of the table at the turn of the year.

As for this weekend’s trip to Old Trafford, the Reds are likely to be without Nat Phillips due to a hamstring issue, while captain Jordan Henderson is still not yet fit to return.

Last Meeting

FA Cup, Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool, 24 January 2021

After a hugely anticipated top of the table encounter between the two rivals fell flat on 17 January, the two sides met just a week later and produced a much more entertaining game in the FA Cup fourth round.

The visitors had taken an early lead through a delightful Mo Salah effort, before Mason Greenwood rounded off an excellent United counter-attack with a composed finish.

The home side then took the lead just after the break with another well-taken strike, this time from Marcus Rashford, before Salah levelled the tie up just over ten minutes later, the former Chelsea man turning home a Roberto Firmino pass.

With the game firmly in the balance, United turned to star man Bruno Fernandes from the bench, the midfielder almost inevitably snatching the headlines with a superb free-kick to send his side into the next round.

Predicted Lineups

Man United: Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Pogba, Fernandes, Rashford; Greenwood.

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Kabak, Fabinho, Robertson; Thiago, Milner, Wijnaldum; Jota, Firmino, Salah.

Who is the referee?

Michael Oliver

What channel is it on?

UK and Irish readers can watch the match on Sky Sports Main Event.

What time is kick off?

Sunday 2 May, 16:30 BST

Odds

Man United – 9/5

Liverpool – 7/5

Draw -13/5

Read – Solskjaer insists Man Utd not motivated by denting Liverpool’s Champions League hopes

See also – Five Premier League players enjoying the best seasons of their careers

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