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For the first time in quite a few years, Manchester United go into battle against Liverpool as the stronger side.
Manchester United were not expected to do this well in the 2020-21 Premier League season. In fact, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was tipped to be one of the first managers to be sacked this season after their underwhelming summer transfer window in 2020.
But Solskjaer has made a feast from the scraps he was given and Manchester United are poised to finish second in the Premier League table and qualify comfortably for the UEFA Champions League.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Liverpool are desperate to stay in the race for the top 4 and a loss at Old Trafford against their fiercest rivals would nearly confirm their absence from the UEFA Champions League next season.
Jurgen Klopp's side will have their work cut out for them against an in-form Manchester United tonight. On that note, let's take a look at five reasons why Liverpool will struggle against Manchester United.
#5 Jurgen Klopp has never won against Manchester United at Old Trafford
Jurgen Klopp has taken his Liverpool team to Old Trafford six times and has failed to register a single win. It is a high-stakes encounter with both teams desperate for three points. Manchester United can stop Manchester City from being crowned champions if they win tonight.
Liverpool need to win to stay in the race for the top 4. But the odds are stacked up against Liverpool. Klopp has never won at Old Trafford and United have always shown up strong at home against their rivals. With a win important for both sides, the Red Devils are expected to put their best foot forward tonight.
#4 Liverpool injury issues
It has been a season where Liverpool have been constantly held back due to their injury issues. They continue to be without three of their first-choice centre-backs Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip. In their absence, Ozan Kabak is expected to be partnered with Fabinho in defence.
As such, Liverpool's backline will be vulnerable and getting Fabinho to play at the back will also weaken their midfield. Manchester United will pose all kinds of problems to the Manchester United defence as players like Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood are all entirely different kinds of propositions.
Jordan Henderson is another major absentee and Liverpool have lacked bite in midfield in the absence of their captain.
#3 Manchester United full-backs have been in great form
Some of the biggest on-field battles between Liverpool and Manchester United will take place on the flanks tonight. Liverpool's frontline, which has been crucial to their exploits in recent seasons, has underperformed this term. Apart from Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool attackers have had underwhelming campaigns.
Diogo Jota has been a bright spot but he hasn't scored in the last five matches. The Liverpool wingers will be up against the likes of Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who are two of Manchester United's most improved players.
While Aaron Wan-Bissaka has added to his all-round play by improving the attacking side of his game, Luke Shaw has been one of Manchester United's main creators. Both are also formidable at the back. As such, the Liverpool attackers are expected to find little joy against the in-form Manchester United defenders.
#2 Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood will cause Liverpool major problems
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deserves a lot of praise for the way he has managed the raft of talent at his disposal. While Mason Greenwood was pushing through a tough time in the first half of the season, he continued to place a lot of faith in the youngster and he is now getting back to his goalscoring best and repaying that trust.
Greenwood has added so much to his overall game as well, with his ball-carrying abilities earning a lot of praise over the past few months. Marcus Rashford is critical to Manchester United's pace on the counter and will be constantly trying to get in behind the defence and once he gets past the backline, there is no catching him.
Edinson Cavani has been a great addition to the Manchester United squad and he was one of their best players in the 6-2 trouncing of AS Roma in midweek. While Greenwood has scored six goals and an assist in his last eight appearances, Edinson Cavani has scored five goals and provided two assists in his last five.
As such, the Manchester United frontline is in top form and an injury-ravaged Liverpool defence will have to dig deep to keep them at bay.
#1 Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba have been running the show
Paul Pogba has been Manchester United's best player ever since returning from his recent injury issues. He has thrived in a more advanced role and has three assists and a goal in his last five appearances, which is quite impressive given the role he has played.
He has looked in great shape and has been key to Manchester United hacking low-blocks in recent times. Bruno Fernandes' incredible passing range and his ability to connect defence and attack continue to be one of the Red Devils' biggest strengths going forward.
The Portuguese seems to have kicked right back into form with a masterful performance against AS Roma where he scored two goals and provided two assists. He was heavily involved throughout the match. Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes will prove to be quite a problem for Liverpool tonight.
