Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Fierce Rivalry Reignites | OneFootball

One of English football’s fiercest rivalries writes its next chapter as Manchester United host Liverpool. Bragging rights and managerial careers are the main prize, with both sides all but assured of Champions League qualification for next season.

The reverse fixture earlier in the season came in October, when Manchester United secured a 2-1 victory at Anfield, a rare bright moment for then-manager Rúben Amorim.

United Manager Carrick on Familiar Ground

Michael Carrick took over from the Portuguese in January and has turned his side’s season around, with United entering the weekend sitting third in the table, a position few would have predicted. Carrick’s side will be looking to secure a third straight victory on Sunday, following back-to-back wins over west London opposition in Brentford and Chelsea.

Having played in numerous Manchester United vs Liverpool matches himself, Carrick knows first-hand the intensity of the rivalry, as he underlined ahead of the game.

He said: “I think there’s obviously big games and big rivalries that we have with other teams, but certainly this one is right up there in the history, the ups and downs the past has produced in these type of games, and the excitement and entertainment, and the emotion, which is a huge part of it. It makes it a really special game.”

Victory for United would move them six points clear of Liverpool, with just three games remaining.

Liverpool Understand the Significance

Liverpool are on a string of three straight league wins and Arne Slot hoping to replicate his only previous visit to Old Trafford, a 3-0 victory for Liverpool in September 2024, at the start of their title-winning season.

Ahead of the game, Slot reiterated the game’s significance and said: “It’s always, every game, has influence on league position, so it’s not just Man Utd. We are aware it is a big game, not only because it’s United, but also for Champions League and highest possible position in the league. We wanted to win it, not possible, so we want to try and finish as high as possible.”

In what would have been Mohamed Salah’s final visit to Old Trafford in a Liverpool shirt, Manchester United fans will be relieved that the Egyptian is set to be sidelined after picking up an injury in last week’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Salah, who has announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, has scored 16 goals and provided a further six assists in 18 appearances against United, but will not be able to add to that mightily impressive record.

Slot confirmed the Egyptian’s absence when he said: “He is usually fitter than others, so we expect him back for the final part of the season. Not for this game. It is a relief that his injury is minor so he can play for us and at the World Cup.”

Other Liverpool Injuries

Liverpool are without a number of other first team players, with Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Hugo Ekitike and Waturo Endo all long-term absentees. 

Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is sidelined, whilst Alisson Becker is also a doubt, meaning third-choice keeper Freddie Woodman may have to be relied upon again

Milos Kerkez was a doubt, but is expected to make the game as Slot confirmed: “Milos has had some niggles, and left the training pitch on Wednesday. I expect him to train today (Friday) or tomorrow (Saturday).”

United Team Status

United’s team news is rather more simple, Mathijs De Ligt has not featured since late November and will remain sidelined, whilst fellow centre back Lisandro Martinez is still suspended since his red card against Leeds. 

Matheus Cunha and Luke Shaw are both doubts and will face late fitness tests. 

Having hardly featured under Amorim earlier in the season, Kobbie Mainoo has played a key role in United’s turnaround, and the England midfielder signed a new long-term contract with the club on Thursday.

Bruno Fernandes has arguably been the Premier League’s player of the season and is just one assist away from matching the single-season record set by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry of 20 assists, and Liverpool could prove fitting opponents for the Portuguese to reach that milestone.

Takeaway

Liverpool will be looking for a victory that would take them above United into third place on goal difference, but they face an uphill task, with Old Trafford something of a fortress in recent months, as Carrick’s side have won six of their last seven home league games.

United have not finished above Liverpool in the table since ending the 2022–23 season in third under Erik ten Hag. Victory on Sunday would go a long way towards changing that.