For the football-adoring supporters of England’s North West, Premier League weekends don’t get any bigger than one containing a fixture between the division’s most historic rivals.
Michael Carrick’s Manchester United will enter Sunday’s outing as marginal favourites ahead of Arne Slot’s Liverpool, with home advantage to provide another memorable afternoon of top-flight football.
The Old Trafford faithful will be hoping for another three points to ensure a return to Champions League football, while building on the momentum earned from consecutive league victories.
While a vibrant interim coaching team will look to add another notch on an already impressive belt, further emphasising its credentials for a permanent stay.
Nonetheless, the visitors will be eager to damage the mood at M16, and would love nothing more than to halt any form of progression at the home of their arch enemy.
Manchester United team news for crucial Liverpool outing
Matheus Cunha missed Monday’s 2-1 win against Brentford with a hip complaint, halting any form of progression the Brazilian has made in recent months.
However, the former Wolves man has impressed with his rehabilitation and is in contention to return at the weekend.
“We’re in good shape, really,” Carrick stated on Friday afternoon. “Matheus has done a little bit of work, so we’re hopeful. We’re not sure, but we’re hopeful.”
Lisandro Martinez will serve his final game suspension following a contentious dismissal against Leeds. But Patrick Dorgu is again available, having returned to the matchday squad against the Bees.
Matthijs de Ligt remains an absentee and continues to progress with his recovery following a significant back problem.
“Matta is still a little bit further [off] and not involved in the game,” Carrick confirmed. “But, other than that, we’re in good shape.”
The Reds are aiming to achieve a long-overdue domestic double against their Merseyside rivals after Harry Maguire earned three points for Ruben Amorim in October.
Remarkably, Wayne Rooney scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at Anfield when United last completed a season sweep in January 2016.
Mohamed Salah has been a regular thorn in Manchester sides during his time at Liverpool, but the veteran attacker will not be available on this occasion due to injury.
Despite all that has been and gone throughout a troublesome campaign, three points will solidify a timely return to the Champions League, ahead of the most crucial summer in recent memory.
Predicted Manchester United starting XI: (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Heaven, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Bruno, Cunha; Sesko.
Will Manchester United get the job done on Sunday? Let us know in the comments or across our socials.
Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images via depositphotos.com.
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