Manchester United host Liverpool on matchday 3 of the Premier League
Manchester United and Liverpool lock horns in the most enticing fixture of matchday 3 of the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday, 1st September at 4 pm UK time.
The Red Devils will be looking to bounce back after a last-minute defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend while another loss would put Erik ten Hag under severe pressure early in the season after his wishes have been granted over the course of the transfer window.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are flying high having made a terrific start to life under Arne Slot with two 2-0 wins against Ipswich Town and Brentford to get their Premier League campaign underway.
It will be a mouthwatering clash as English football’s two most successful sides meet on Sunday with the aim of securing all three points.
Team News
Manchester United
Manchester United’s injury issues have not gotten far better from last week as new signings Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro remain ruled out for the visit of Liverpool. While Harry Maguire is back, Victor Lindelof is struggling for fitness and Ten Hag will also have to do without a specialist left-back given that both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are still injured.
Mason Mount is also doubtful, with Fotmob stating that he has “physical discomfort” although the gravity of the issue is yet to be known and the Englishman’s availability could be ascertained on a day-to-day basis.
Scott McTominay’s move to Napoli is all but confirmed and therefore, he will not be a Manchester United player by the time they face Liverpool. All eyes, however, will be on Amad Diallo after he starred in a dull United display at Brighton last week while Joshua Zirkzee might finally start his first match for his new side after
coming off the bench twice.
Matthijs de Ligt could also be in line for his first Premier League start after Harry Maguire’s poor showing last time out in which he was the guilty party in the build-up to Danny Welbeck’s goal.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER UNITED XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo; Rashford, Fernandes, Diallo; Zirkzee
Liverpool
Much to the contrary as compared to Manchester United, Liverpool’s only injury doubt is Curtis Jones and barring the midfielder, Arne Slot has a fully fit squad to choose from without any suspension worries either.
Defensively, Liverpool have been rock solid and are the only team apart from Arsenal to still be breached in the Premier League so far this season. Man United will have a tough task at getting the ball past Alisson on Sunday.
There have been no additions in midfield so far in the transfer window for Liverpool and so an unchanged setup can be expected in the engine room. The Reds have shown urgency in the last few days of the market but the Manchester United fixture could come a bit too soon for a midfielder if indeed there is a new acquisition.
Federico Chiesa is closing in on a swoop to Anfield as far as the offensive department goes but his presence is likely to begin from the bench with Slot likely to use a tried and tested frontline from his last two Premier League outings.
PREDICTED LIVERPOOL XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Szoboszlai, Diaz, Salah; Jota
Key facts
- Manchester United have scored just twice in the Premier League all season and have conceded as many goals. Liverpool, on the other hand, have scored double of the Red Devils and are yet to ship even one.
- Manchester United last beat Liverpool in August 2022. That fixture was held on matchday 3 and at Old Trafford, exactly how it is scheduled to be this time around.
- Liverpool have scored 12 goals in their last four competitive meetings with Ten Hag’s Red Devils, losing just once – inthe FA Cup semi-final last season.
Match Deciding Duel
Casemiro vs Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has caused enough problems for Manchester United since his arrival at Liverpool from AS Roma, not least in the last few times he has faced the Red Devils. The Egyptian, however, has struggled against Casemiro, who managed to have a grip over him when Real Madrid and Liverpool have played in the Champions League.
With a left-back also absent, the Brazilian’s responsibility of keeping Liverpool’s right winger at bay will be even higher than usual and if Casemiro can nullify Salah, United could sniff a win over their bitter rivals.
Prediction
Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool
Erik ten Hag has assembled most of his Ajax Amsterdam colleagues at Manchester United and unfortunately, they are performing like an average Eredivisie side would against a Premier League giants.
The Dutchman failed miserably on the tactical front against Brighton and he might once again be shorthanded against Arne Slot, who has already tasted a 3-0 win over United in pre-season.
Liverpool will win at Old Trafford. They are now a better-oiled unit and the motivation of playing against a historic rival could see them score thrice for the very first time in the official season. Mohamed Salah will impress again but that’s not to say Luis Diaz will not be a threat after a goal and an assist against Brentford last weekend.
More Manchester United News-
- Manchester United have gained a boost in their pursuit of a defensive transfer target
- Manchester United are interested in bringing in a former Barcelona starlet
- “I’m really confident” – Manchester United star rates his team’s chances of second Euros triumph at UEFA Euro 2024
Ten Hag’s misery will be compounded and he will be under added pressure just three Premier League games into the season. If Liverpool demolish the Red Devils, the international break
may be a good time for United to explore their managerial situation once again before it is very late in the season.
