Manchester United will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday. Tuesday’s dull draw against Rangers in the Champions League was largely blamed as a mistake in squad selection from Sir Alex Ferguson and the Scot is sure to get it right this time in front of an expected 76,000 capacity crowd.
With Liverpool struggling to assert themselves in the league and Manchester United’s indifferent approach to the season, this match is bound to raise levels of excitement and anxiety for fans worldwide.
The matches are coming thick and fast for Liverpool as barely a month ago they settled for a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Anfield. In their last five head to head fixtures dating back to 2008, Manchester United have won only 2 with Liverpool winning 3. The biggest result coming in March last year when Liverpool humiliated Man United 4-1 at the theatre of dreams.
Going by that record then the Reds should be favourites for Sunday’s Clash but that is not the case. Liverpool are still struggling to find their winning formula under new coach Roy Hodgson and their last 4 games have seen them collect only 5 points.
United on the other hand have seen a series of avoidable draws leave them in 3rd place 4 points behind leaders Chelsea. United will also have to do without Carrick, and Valencia who injured his ankle on Tuesday.
However, the good news for Ferguson is that Rio Ferdinand is expected to start on Sunday. Oozing confidence, Ferdinand has only one intention on his mind, and that is to win at all costs.
“This kind of game is always good for galvanising spirit and belief,” “You would be beating one of your closest rivals, so to win this game would be great for team morale. Hopefully it will put us on the crest of a wave.”
With Torres yet to find his scoring boots, it remains to be seen whether Liverpolol could walk away from Old Trafford with a point.
Photo credit: from davidwatts1978
