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Sunday the 9th of January will see Manchester United take on Liverpool at Old Trafford in the FA Cup third round clash. Seldom has an FA Cup tie carried this much significance. This is testament to the great rivalry shared by Manchester United and Liverpool who have won the world’s oldest knock out competition 18 times between them. The last four years, however, have seen these two sides fail to light up this competition with United last winning it in 2004 and Liverpool in 2006. Both the teams will be looking to correct that record this time around.
As with most Manchester United-Liverpool clashes, the last encounter between the two great rivals in September in the league turned out to be an entertaining thriller which United won 3-2 courtesy of a sublime hat-trick by Dimitar Berbatov with Steven Gerrard twice threatening a Liverpool comeback through a brace. With another spirited encounter on the cards, let us preview the teams.
MANCHESTER UNITED
One defeat in all competitions this season, top of the Premier League by a comfortable margin and Manchester United have only begun to hit their stride. That is an ominous sign for their rivals. But form is not all that matters when it comes to big rivalry clashes such as this one even though the Red Devils will hold a psychological advantage. Like Liverpool against lowly Reading, Manchester United suffered an embarrassing defeat against Leeds United last season to exit the FA Cup in the third round. With fans surprised at how winning the FA Cup has apparently disappeared off the agenda, Sir Alex’s men will be looking to break the jinx through a big win over their great rivals.
Sir Alex is expected to name his strongest side. The biggest news in the team selection is the confirmation that Wayne Rooney, who missed Tuesday night’s clash against Stoke City, will be on the team sheet on Sunday. Rio Ferdinand is also expected to return to partnering Vidic. Edwin van der Sar is yet to recover from his illness and if the Dutchman doesn’t make it Tomasz Kuszczak will continue in goal.
Possible line-up: Kuszczak, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Anderson, Fletcher, Giggs, Berbatov, Rooney
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool’s fall from grace is a story that has been covered extensively this season. A side that is clearly lacking belief, Liverpool come into the clash on the back of a humiliating 3-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers. Out of form players and a manager who could be sacked any moment top the list of woes that now haunt Anfield. A win over Manchester United could be the perfect antidote to all their worries and thus spur a comeback and maybe help Roy Hodgson save his job.
In the team news, Raul Meireles is expected to be back after missing Wednesday night’s clash. Also expected to be in the team are left back Fabio Aurelio and centre back Daniel Agger.
Possible line-up: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Gerrard, Cole, Torres
PREDICTION
As mentioned before, big rivalry clashes are rarely decided on form. But form is not Liverpool’s only problem at the moment. A mentally weak side lacking inspiration, they will find it hard to overcome the Red Devils in their own backyard. With the home support wanting nothing more than seeing their team compound Anfield’s misery, I predict a 2-0 win for Manchester United and an easy passage into the next round.
