Abhranil Roy
Manchester United keep taking two baby steps forward and one giant step backward every time it seems. Fantastic wins against Midtjylland and Arsenal was undone once again when the Red Devils lost 1-0 away to West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, for the first time in their history thanks to a Rondon goal in the 60th minute. United are now 3 points behind Manchester City in 5th place, who also have a game in hand and the only way they seem likely to qualify for the Champions League next season is if they win the Europa League this year. Easier said than done though, as the Red Devils will face their eternal rivals Liverpool in the Round of 16 of the Europa League this Thursday.
Backdrop:
Van Gaal has beaten Liverpool every time he has faced them with United, an enviable record that pleases most United fans. However, it’s different this time, as the Merseysiders go into the game having come back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 at their bogey rivals Crystal Palace, and are currently high on confidence. They narrowly lost the League Cup final to Manchester City a couple of weeks back, and with Benteke back with the goals and Coutinho playing well, they certainly start off as favourites.
As for United, the never-ending injuries coupled with a complete lack of consistency of any kind has already cost them heavily. If we do end up going out at the hands of the Scousers, it will probably be the final nail in the coffin for the former Barcelona manager too.
Fan’s take:
Manchester United facing Liverpool in the Knockout Stages of the Europa League is like meeting the person you desperately want to avoid in a place neither of you want to be seen. Both the clubs are fighting to ward off mediocrity and a win will go a long way in order to make their seasons. Jurgen Klopp has been trying to get his act together, and although he had failed in his first test, he will be looking to make amends in the first leg which is at Anfield. Louis van Gaal faces a crisis of sorts now, given the number of players who are currently out and the lack of form of any sort from his makeshift team, but it’s Liverpool, it’s the Northwestern Derby for the first time on a European platform, and anything can happen in games of this level. Come on you Red Devils!
