FA Cup Preview: Manchester United vs Liverpool

Manchester United vs Liverpool | FA Cup 4th Round | Old Trafford | KO 17:00 GMT | BBC One

Manchester United sit top of the Premier League, but must now turn their attention to the FA Cup, where they face rivals Liverpool on Sunday evening at Old Trafford.

United were unlucky to leave Anfield with only a point last weekend, and will be looking to advance to the next round of the cup against a vulnerable Liverpool side.

With that being said, the match could provide an opportunity to rest a couple of key players, with the league being the major priority for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this campaign.

How do Manchester United Look?

The Reds’ injury record so far this season has not been too bad.

Once again, only Phil Jones and Brandon Williams are confirmed absentees, as they are still recovering from long-term injury problems.

Victor Lindelöf has missed the majority of matches in recent weeks, due to a back issue he picked up some months ago, but made the starting eleven against Jurgen Klopp’s men last weekend, and is likely to do the same on Sunday.

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Confirming the Swede’s availability for the match, Solskjaer said “Victor will be fine for the weekend”.

The boss rotated his side in the third-round clash against Watford, and may be tempted to do so once again in this one, although the fact it is against Liverpool may be reason to play a stronger team than he would like.

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One man who has not been involved as much as expected is Donny Van de Beek. The Dutchman has played a somewhat peripheral role at Old Trafford since signing in the summer, but Solskjaer has announced that he is likely to be part of the squad for the clash against Liverpool.

“He will definitely be involved in this game against Liverpool and he might be the deciding factor in this game” said Solskjaer.

Opposition: Liverpool

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Jurgen Klopp’s team are down at the moment.

They have won just one match since 19th December, and that was a 4-1 win against a very, very inexperienced Aston Villa side, who’s starting eleven had an average age of just 18.

They are yet to score a Premier League goal in 2021, and their 68-game unbeaten run at home came to an end last time out against Sean Dyche’s Burnley.

Liverpool will likely field their strongest possible side against United, as they are in desperate need of a win, and should they lose on Sunday, there will be lots of questions asked about Jurgen Klopp and his players.

Key Stats

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Manchester United have lost just one of their last 12 matches, and will be looking to extend that run when Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday.