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The Premier League is back in action with another high-octane fixture this week as Manchester United and Liverpool renew their legendary rivalry at Old Trafford on Thursday. The two English rivals have excellent players in their ranks and will need to step up to the plate in this game.
Liverpool have endured a difficult campaign by their high standards and cannot afford to put a foot wrong in this match. The Merseyside giants need a miracle to qualify for the UEFA Champions League this year and cannot afford to drop points on Thursday.
Manchester United take on Liverpool on Thursday
Manchester United, on the other hand, have managed to exceed expectations this season and find themselves in second place in the league table. The Red Devils named a second-string side against Leicester City on Tuesday and will likely field their best team against Liverpool.
Both teams have exceptional attacking players in their ranks and have engaged in their fair share of exciting fixtures over the past two years. Here is a list of five key battles that could potentially decide the outcome of this game.
#5 Edinson Cavani vs Nat Phillips
After a surprisingly slow start to his Premier League stint, Edinson Cavani has grown into Manchester United's ideal striker. The Uruguayan veteran is a devastating presence in the penalty area and has become one of the Red Devils' most potent goal threats.
The former Napoli man has already registered five goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances and has more than compensated for Anthony Martial's absence. Cavani was given some time off against Leicester City earlier this week and will go into this game with a dangerously fresh approach.
Liverpool's defensive problems have been well-documented this season and young Nat Phillips will be presented with the unenviable task of keeping Edinson Cavani at bay. The Manchester United striker has got the better of some of the best defenders in the world over the past decade and will relish this game as an opportunity to bring his big-game mettle to the fore.
#4 Sadio Mane vs Aaron Wan-Bissaka
By his own high standards, Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has endured a particularly difficult campaign this season. The Senegalese star has managed only nine goals in 32 appearances so far and his lack of attacking output has unsurprisingly coincided with Liverpool's stark misfortunes.
Mane found the back of the net at Anfield last weekend and will hope that his strike signals the permanent end of what has been a difficult goal drought. The Liverpool man will be up against one of Manchester United's most impressive full-backs on Thursday and will need to take it up a notch at Old Trafford.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been something of an unsung hero for Manchester United and his impressive one-on-one skills make him a difficult opponent. The right-back has his work cut out against Sadio Mane and will be intent on keeping the star winger quiet this week.
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#3 Mohamed Salah vs Luke Shaw
While both Manchester United and Liverpool have lethal goalscorers in their ranks, Mohamed Salah may well be the most prolific of them all. In a season that has seen Liverpool trudge through a litany of debacles, the Egyptian has still managed to hit the 20-goal mark in yet another fruitful campaign.
Salah's exploits have slipped under the radar this season with Liverpool's inability to create chances in the final third stifling the winger's influence. Mohamed Salah is a ruthless goalscorer at his best and Liverpool will need their talisman to fire against Manchester United.
Luke Shaw is one of the few players in Manchester United's ranks who can keep pace with Salah and will need to wear his running boots against Liverpool. Salah has a penchant for making clever diagonal runs and Manchester United's defence will have to be careful with their positioning and movement.
#2 Thiago Alcantara vs Paul Pogba
Liverpool's passionate fanbase expected the world from Thiago Alcantara when the Spaniard made his high-profile move to Anfield last year. The former Bayern Munich man has had his moments in the Premier League but is yet to come to terms with Liverpool's tactical set-up.
Liverpool depend heavily on their midfield to maintain their high press and Thiago has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. With Paul Pogba as his opponent on Thursday, however, Thiago Alcantara will need to summon all his talents to guide Liverpool across the line.
The two midfielders can singlehandedly dominate the middle of the pitch on their day and will be intent on proving a point this week. Paul Pogba, in particular, has experienced a renaissance under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and could make a massive impact for Manchester United on Thursday.
#1 Bruno Fernandes vs Georginio Wijnaldum
While Manchester United's resurgence in the Premier League has sprouted from a number of factors, Bruno Fernandes remains the primary driving force. The midfielder has been sensational for the Red Devils and has arguably been one of the most consistent performers in England this season.
With 17 goals and 11 assists in 36 appearances this season, Fernandes has spearheaded Manchester United's successful top-four bid and is an influential presence on the pitch. The Portuguese maestro will be up against a strong midfield this week and will have to work hard to pick Liverpool's lock.
Georginio Wijnaldum has one of Liverpool's most understated performers over the years but his form has seen a discernible dip this year. The Dutchman is a formidable force on his day and will need to be at his best to keep Bruno Fernandes at bay this week.
