This is by far one of the most popular big matches in England, but for Manchester United and Liverpool it’s certainly not a quiet start to the season.
It’s only August, but no one expected that after two days the total points accumulated by the Red Devils and Reds were barely two. If any team is worse off, though, it is Erik ten Hag’s: Old Trafford at the moment resembles a veritable powder keg. Two defeats out of two for Maguire and his team-mates. And what defeats: first the internal slip (1-2) at the debut against Brighton, then the resounding blow (4-0) on the pitch of Brentford. The former Ajax coach has started his adventure in the worst possible way and in addition he must resolve the Ronaldo problem as soon as possible. CR7 has repeatedly expressed his desire to move elsewhere to play in the Champions League, but for now there do not seem to be any clubs willing to take on his hefty wage.
The club, urged on by the protests of the fans, is trying to make amends through the market and in the past few hours has signed European champion Casemiro, a Brazilian midfielder in his thirties who arrived from Real Madrid for around 70 million. He is the reinforcement for the midfield line, after the failure to reach an agreement with Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot, a deal that fell through on a par with the one that would have brought Frenkie de Jong across the Channel.
Luis Diaz ©️Ansafoto
Before the kick-off, the Red Devils fans will stage a protest against the club’s top management. However, no major disturbances are feared, as was the case during the pitch invasion in May 2021 that prevented the match from taking place. There is no such tension at home to Liverpool, but the Reds have unexpectedly disappointed in their first two outings, being held to a draw by newly-promoted Fulham (2-2) and at Anfield Road by Crystal Palace (1-1) in a match affected by the sending-off of striker Nunez for head-butting Eagles defender Andersen.
The Prediction
Two teams who, for different reasons, almost have an obligation to win. Manchester United must try, despite not managing to beat Liverpool at Old Trafford since way back in 2018. The Red Devils are still pinned on zero points and the only way to defuse the tension would be to at least avoid defeat. Unlikely against an overall superior team like Liverpool, called to redeem the disappointing start: the risk, for Jurgen Klopp’s men, is to see Manchester City, already at +4, run away. In our opinion, the Reds should win in the end, taking advantage of the fragility of United’s defence: at least three goals in total in the North West Derby.
Manchester United-Liverpool matchday squad
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-3): De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Eriksen; Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rashford.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Luis Diaz.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-3
