Manchester United must prove they're not a spent force when Liverpool comes to town on Sunday in a fixture of huge consequence. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)
Manchester United vs. LiverpoolOld Trafford3:30pm
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| Manchester United must prove they're not a spent force when Liverpool comes to town on Sunday in a fixture of huge consequence. (Photo credit: Sky Sports) |
Fans of Manchester City and Arsenal would be wearing red on Sunday, hoping and cheering Manchester United on. The run-in is getting intense, and Liverpool must respond to the results of Saturday.
Arsenal went to Brighton in the final Premier League fixture of Saturday, answered all the questions Roberto Di Zerbi and the Seagulls threw at them without remorse, and returned to London with three points and three more goals to improve their goal difference.
Manchester United’s collapse at Chelsea in midweek explains why they’re nowhere near title conversations; how do you lead a team deep into added time and end up losing? It’s not the first time this season that United will drop points from winning position; it must stop.
Liverpool knows what to do; to return to the top of the table, they must beat Manchester United. A draw does take them joint top, but they would be behind the Gunners on goal difference, and that invites Manchester City pressure, with Pep Guardiola’s side only one point behind.
We’re excited by this title race; no one wants to blink. Manchester City survived the early scare at Selhurst; Jean-Philipp Mateta scored an early goal, but a Kevin De Bruyne masterclass saw City triumph 4-2 with Phil Foden rested for the midweek battle against Real Madrid. Liverpool must respond.
What’s in this one for Manchester United? It’s a hell of a conundrum for fans of Manchester United. They don’t like Arsenal; they won’t want to do the Gunners any favors; they won’t open their eyes and watch Pep Guardiola erase the glittering records of Sir Alex Ferguson by winning four straight titles; however, can they stand Liverpool equaling their 20 Premier League titles?
Ten Hag is fighting for his life. The new owners want to take the club back to its glory days, and he must show he is the right man for the job. He can’t do that by losing a lead in the 99th minute to Brentford, conceding an equalizer, then losing the game altogether within two minutes, and then losing to Liverpool at Old Trafford. That is sacrilege.
How will they line up? Kobbie Mainoo is burning out; he was swallowed by Mason Mount in the games against Brentford and Chelsea. Casemiro must stand to be counted; he hasn’t been the same man in the middle of the park. This is a game he must step up for.
There’s a defensive crisis brewing again at United; Johnny Evans came on and had to leave shortly after due to injury; Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are both injured; and Ten Hag must find solutions to contain Mohammed Salah, who enjoys scoring against the Red Devils.