Premier League: Can United save their season?

THERE is little required from the marketing guys in Sky Sports to hype a Liverpool v Manchester United game. Traditional rivalries between England’s two most successful clubs guarantee that this fixture is always sought out by the fans when the Premier League draw is made each summer. But the current woes of Man United and their manager Erik ten Hag adds a voyeuristic, even car-crash, element to tomorrow evening’s game.

Tuesday’s exit from the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich was not entirely surprising but that they finished fourth in their group and don’t even get a chance of a tilt at the Europa League is embarrassing for a team with the pedigree of United’s.

Add this to their recent run of only one win in their last five games, including a home 3-0 defeat to lowly Bournemouth, and you can see why a trip to Liverpool, who beat them 7-0 at the same venue last season, has fans salivating or peeking through their fingers at the prospect of events on Merseyside.

Added pain

And if this prospect wasn’t worrying enough for United, adding to Ten Hag’s woes is a growing injury list made worse by events at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Both Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw picked up injuries in the side’s Champions League exit. Joining the injury list that also includes defenders Lisardo Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia. Midfielders Casemiro, Christian Erikesen and Mason Mount, as well as winger Amad Diallo.

Marcus Rashord and Anthony Martial missed the Bayern game through illness and should they and the others miss tomorrow’s game, along with the suspended Bruno Fernandez and the out of favour Jadon Sancho, it effectively means that United could be shy up to 13 squad players for the trip to Anfield. Not a place you want to go into light-handed in normal circumstances, not to mind after a run of disheartening results.

As said, a fit and well United lost 7-0 at Anfield last time out and there is an obvious concern among the fans regarding a weakened side for this fixture. A fear based on results over recent seasons.

United have won just once against Liverpool in their last five encounters, their 2-1 win in at Old Trafford of August 2022. They lost the other four. But the aggregate score across the five games is what is most telling. United scored four goals to Liverpool’s 21 goals.

Back to that United win in August of last year, and many thought United had turned a corner under Ten Hag and the result against the old rivals was proof of them moving onward and upward.

However, in hindsight, that result was more telling of Liverpool’s midfield meltdown after the rigours of the previous season than any real rejuvenation by United.

Fresh blood

Suffice to say, few United fans will be looking forward to this fixture, especially when shy so many first-team players. But then again, a few pundits have pointed out that considering recent results, that maybe United would be better off without a few misfiring egos for this match. The chance for some fringe and fresh talent to show their worth may be just what the club needs and arguably offers no more of a threat than what would take to the field with a fully fit side.

For Liverpool it will be a case of managing expectations. With a series of impressive wins against the hated foe, the belief that Liverpool just have to turn up for the win is a dangerous one.

Indeed, United’s solo win against Liverpool in the last five came when expectations were as low if not worse than they are now. Three heavy defeats at Liverpool’s hands had everyone expecting a hiding for the Manchester outfit. Instead they put in a perfectly worked out gameplan that handled the Liverpool attack, backed up with an accomplished counterattack of their own. The win was heralded as no one was expecting it.

Sadly, from a United point of view, it was back to inexplicable business in their next encounter in the 7-0 victory at Anfield back in March.

Should Liverpool take things for granted don’t be surprised if United spring a trap. But one suspects that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will be eager to avoid such a scenario. And he has played a significant role in the demise of at least three previous United managers. Plus, Liverpool, in contrast to last season, are genuine title-contenders this time out, so should be less susceptible to let their eye slip off the prize.

Countering that, Liverpool have had two days fewer to recover from their own European workout, albeit a dead rubber with a third-string side, and will be carrying their own injuries, most notably Alexis MacAllister, into the game.

It may not be as clearcut a United defeat as many would have you believe.