Manchester United vs Liverpool Match Preview: Kick-off Time, Team News, Predicted line-up and Score Prediction
Competition: FA Cup (Quarter Final)
Venue: Old Trafford
Kick Off: 15:30 UK Time
TV Channel: ITV
How do Manchester United Look?
After a strong start to 2024, United have stumbled in recent weeks losing two of their last four games, including back to back losses in the league to Fulham and Manchester City respectively. However, United did bounce back with a victory in their most recent match against Everton, where Fernandes and Rashford converted a penalty each to give United a 2-0 win. The reds will look to take this momentum into the FA Cup clash and build on that result.
Erik Ten Hag offered up some early team news for this one, revealing before United played Everton at the weekend that three players should be returning to fitness to potentially play a part against Liverpool. Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Rasmus Hojlund were the names. They have all featured in training sessions, but it remains to be seen how many minutes they are ready to play, and their level of match fitness. Mason Mount is said to be close to a return, but this fixture may be too soon. Lisandro Martinez remains a certainty to miss the quarter-final tie, however, reports suggest that he could return to fitness after the international break.
Since Hojlund’s double at Luton, only one of their goals from open play have been scored by a forward. This highlights how important the Norwegian’s return will be, especially if he can pick up the inspired form he was in just before his injury. United have been stretched in defensive positions for weeks, which has led to players having to play out of position, such as Lindelof and Amrabat covering at left back and forcing Ten Hag into playing unfamiliar centre-back partnerships like Varane and Kambwala in the second half against Manchester City. With Maguire and Wan Bissaka’s return, it gives the team more stability, and experience. Also, with United’s season-long struggle with the left-back position, it now gives the boss the option to play Dalot there and Wan Bissaka at right back, as Malacia and Shaw are still injured.
In the earlier meeting between these sides this season, we saw McTominay play further forward to occupy the centre-forward position, and if Hojlund is not ready to start, that may be a viable option again. Also in that meeting in December, Varane and Evans managed a clean sheet and were the standout performers. This is why many predict that they may start as a pair once more.
United will come into this game with 7 days rest and will be feeling fresh heading into this tie. They should look to make their fresh legs count by outrunning their opposition.
Predicted line-up
24. Onana
20. Dalot
35. Evans
19. Varane
2. Lindelof
18. Casemiro
37. Mainoo
8. Fernandes (C)
39. McTominay
10. Rashford
17. Garnacho
Opposition – Liverpool
After Liverpool’s comfortable progression in Europe on Thursday, they look to do the same in the FA Cup to take another step towards a quadruple charge. Liverpool are unbeaten in 9 going into this tie and have picked up the league cup in that time too, putting them in a strong position of confidence.
With Liverpool only having two full rest days before this clash, they gave much-needed rest to several their key players in their 2nd leg victory in the Europa League, to ensure that they would be physically fresh and ready for United.
Three of Liverpool’s most important defensive players Alison, Ibrahima Konate and Alexander Arnold, have been ruled out for this tie through injury. Youngsters Quansah and Bradley are expected to step into the defensive positions as they have done in recent weeks, whilst the young but more experienced Kelleher is almost certain to continue filling Alison’s place.
Prediction
It would not be a surprise to fans if United took a similar approach to the one they did in December to keep the score at 0-0 whilst trying to launch counter attacks to snatch a victory. This would especially make sense as this fixture will go to extra time and penalties if needed, and that may be United’s best bet.
Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool (Manchester United win via penalties)
