Lakshay Khurana
Liverpool and Manchester United face off at Anfield on Thursday for the very first time in European competition. With both clubs unlikely to finish in the top four of the Premier League, winning the Europa League represents their best opportunity of getting hold of qualification to next season’s Champions League.
United’s squad is heavily depleted with many first team players injured. Liverpool haven’t lost in Europe this season. They are also unbeaten in their last six matches.
Manchester United have won their last four matches against Liverpool and lost only four of their last fourteen visits to Anfield.
Van Gaal’s men are set to continue that streak. Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against West Ham is doubtful to influence selection as Van Gaal attempts to gain a footing in the tie against United’s big rivals.
Marcus Rashford’s extraordinary start to his career has lifted a team, a club and an entire fanbase but Van Gaal could choose to demote the in-form beast striker to the bench against Liverpool after his starting role in four matches in just 11 days.
He was ineffective in the 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich on Sunday’s Premier League fixture, initially in the central role and then playing out wide after Mata was sent off.
With a big European tie at Anfield a frightening prospect, van Gaal may be tempted to drop Rashford, which would by default allow Martial to play up front, where he posed as the most dangerous player against West Bromwich while the whole team didn’t do great.
With Jesse Lingard suspended and Adnan Januzaj cup-tied, Van Gaal could push Ander Herrera forward into the playmaker role and use Mata out on a flank.
He can be held in the substitutes and can be brought on later when the Dutch boss believes the 18-year-old can make an impact.
