The last time Manchester United were two goals down coming into the second leg of a European knockout tie, Robin van Persie scored a memorable hat-trick against Greek champions Olympiakos to turn the tie in David Moyes' side’s favour and send his side to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Two seasons later, and a similarly poor away leg display against arch-rivals Liverpool has put Louis van Gaal’s side in a similar predicament of having to overcome a double deficit to qualify for the last eight, this time of the Europa League.
If they manage to achieve what looks a daunting task, it will surely go down as one of United’s greatest comebacks in their recent European history. The feeling will be all the sweeter considering the fact that the comeback would be made against their age-old enemy.
However, Liverpool are not a team who will simply sit back and relax on their two-goal cushion. Jurgen Klopp will never encourage such negative tactics. An away goal will put the ball firmly in the Anfield outfit’s court – as it means that United would have to score atleast three more than their rivals to progress.
Klopp’s main priority will be to ensure his team somehow find the back of the net. With United likely to press forward in a bid to wipe out the advantage, they are bound to leave spaces at the back. Liverpool – with the pace they have upfront – will look to take advantage of those gaps and send Old Trafford into silence.
Whichever way this tie goes, fans and neutrals can expect a humdinger of a second leg. Never before has a Europa League tie gained so much media coverage and fan enthusiasm. Will Manchester United be celebrating a famous comeback, or will the Reds have the last laugh at Old Trafford?
Kick-Off and Live Telecast
Channel: Ten Action, Ten HD
Kick-Off: Friday, 18 March – 01.35 IST (20.05 BST)
Venue: Old Trafford
Team News
Manchester United trio Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson are back in training but will not be risked by Louis van Gaal. Bastian Schweinsteiger will start on the bench as he continues his recovery from a knee injury, while Wayne Rooney, Luke Shaw and Phil Jones remain sidelined. Jesse Lingard returns after serving a one-match European suspension.
Liverpool welcome James Milner back from an illness which ruled him out of last week’s victory. Defender Martin Skrtel, however, is unlikely to play any part due to a hamstring problem. Joe Allen, Danny Ings and Joe Gomez are long-term injury absentees.
Form Guide
Following a run of four straight victories, Manchester United have once again gone backwards – failing to win any of their three games since. One of them, of course, was the loss at Anfield last Thursday which has put them on the brink of elimination from the Europa League.
A woeful attacking performance from United was punished by a classy and belligerent Liverpool performance in the final third. It was David de Gea’s heroics in goal last week which kept the deficit down to two goals, but the Spaniard cannot score for them.
Juan Mata could well be left out of the starting XI as United look for pace in the final third. The likes of Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford will have to put their foot on the gas and attack the Liverpool goal right from the first minute of they have to get back into the tie. The fans are right to expect a sense of urgency and desperation amongst the United players, something which was almost completely missing in last week’s defeat.
A late equaliser via. Anthony Martial to keep them in the FA Cup on Sunday would have raised spirits inside the dressing room. Can they keep that desire and belief to stage what would turn out to be an unbelievable comeback?
Last 5 games (All competitions): D-L-L-W-W (Most recent – Manchester United 1-1 West Ham United)
Liverpool will be on a high following the first-legged 2-0 victory against their rivals in a game they dominated from start to finish. Their high pressing tactics kept Manchester United on the backfoot throughout, as the pace and passing of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge absolutely blew their opponent’s defence away.
However, they will be wary of a response from Louis van Gaal’s side and will have to iron out their defensive flaws if they have to progress through to the next round without a scare. Mamadou Sakho looked uneasy on a couple of occasions while hacking the ball to safety and Dejan Lovren was not tested much against the pace and trickery of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.
An away goal will definitely settle Liverpool’s nerves, and Klopp’s primary agenda is to have the ball in the back of the net at least once to give his side some breathing space. Will it be plain sailing for Klopp and co.? Or will they succumb to the atmosphere across Old Trafford?
Last 5 games (All competitions): W-W-W-D*-W (Most recent – Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United)
*Liverpool lost the League Cup final on penalties after drawing the game 1-1 with Manchester City AET
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Key Stats
- Liverpool’s last two visits to Old Trafford saw them lose by margins of 3-0 and 3-1. A similar latter result would be enough to see them through on away goals.
- Last week’s result was Louis van Gaal’s first defeat to Liverpool in the fifth meeting. They had won all four previous meetings under the Dutchman.
- Liverpool’s last cup victory at Old Trafford came 95 years ago in a 2-1 victory in 1921.
- Manchester United have not won any of their last 3 games in all competitions. (D1, L2)
- They have scored just twice in their last 4 games.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in all competitions (excluding penalties) since going out of the FA Cup against West Ham in injury time of extra time on 9 February.
- They are unbeaten in the Europa League this season. (W4, D5)
Key Battle
Anthony Martial vs Mamadou Sakho
A battle between two Frenchmen. One is exquisite on his feet, while the other is pretty suspect. The 20-year old Martial will have to take 100% advantage of Sakho’s vulnerability while dealing with ground clearances and create the necessary space to have a go at Simon Mignolet at goal.
Predictions
United have scored three at home just six times this season, against Club Brugge, Ipswich, Sunderland, Arsenal, Stoke City and of course, against Liverpool. However, they achieved that feat back in September, when they had a fully fit squad and their confidence was sky-high.
It’s difficult to imagine United getting three goals this time around, despite their expected urgency to take the game to Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s side have the firepower upfront to find the back of the net at least once, meaning that United would have to beat Simon Mignolet atleast four times to progress. A draw, and hence Liverpool’s entry into the quarterfinals seems the most plausible prediction.
Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool
