'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester United take on Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday in a tie that could prove beneficial for both sides concerned. If the Red Devils win, they will assert their place and consolidate the fourth position in the league table, and if Liverpool get a point or three, they will again go back to the top of the tree.
United have won seven of their last nine home games against the team from Merseyside, and that will definitely boost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Although Liverpool won the reverse fixture in December, which eventually turned out to be Jose Mourinho's last game in charge for the Red Devils, United's current form and the fact that they are at home will mean that they will be the favourites.
As Old Trafford and the fans get ready to welcome their most famous rivals from Merseyside into Manchester, we have a look at three key battles that will shape Sunday's bout between two British and European heavyweights.
#3 Marcus Rashford vs Virgil van Dijk
Young Marcus Rashford has been a revelation for Manchester United over the last couple of months and has even managed to keep first-team regular Romelu Lukaku on the bench. On Sunday, he will be tested mightily as he will come up against Liverpool's Dutch central defender Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk, who has been a rock at the back for Liverpool, will challenge Rashford's quick runs and turns. It will be exciting to watch how the young Mancunian tries to deceive the giant Dutchman.
#2 Mohamed Salah vs Luke Shaw
When United last hosted Liverpool in the Premier League in March 2018, Ashley Young started at left-back and thoroughly destroyed Mohamed Salah on the right wing. Salah was not allowed to get on the ball easily and such a poor performance from the 'Egyptian King' was certainly not applauded well.
Young was quite a handful that day, but he will start at right-back on Sunday, which means that Salah will be up against Luke Shaw.
Shaw has been brilliant for United this season, and although the temptation to play Young at left-back is high, manager Solskjaer no doubt trusts the capable Shaw to do the job with elan.
#1 Ander Herrera vs Fabinho
Jurgen Klopp started new Brazilian import Fabinho at centre-back midweek against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League but he is most likely to play his central midfield role against United on Sunday.
He will be up against Ander Herrera, United's central midfielder who has been bossing that role over the last few months. Herrera is an absolute cracker to watch and can disarm threats and pass the ball on to attacking players in the blink of an eye. It will be an absolute thriller!
