Manchester United vs Liverpool: Preview and Prediction

A place in the FA Cup semi-finals will be on the line when Manchester United and Liverpool renew their rivalry at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The quarter-finals of the 2023/24 FA Cup will culminate on Sunday, with the day greeting us with two matches. The action gets underway with the game between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge before Manchester United and Liverpool lock horns in the marquee fixture at Old Trafford.

Manchester United reached the FA Cup quarter-finals by beating Wigan Athletic, Newport County, and Nottingham Forest in the three previous rounds. But their strong start to 2024 has disappeared, with the Red Devils losing two of their last three Premier League games to lose their way in the top-four race.

On the other hand, Liverpool beat Arsenal, Norwich City, and Southampton to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, keeping two clean sheets and conceding two goals, like Manchester United. The Reds have put up a brave face to overcome their fitness issues, reaching the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals while retaining their spot atop the Premier League standings despite the injury crisis.

The only clash featuring these clubs this season had Manchester United keeping Liverpool at bay in a goalless draw. Ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter.

Team News & Tactics

Manchester United

Erik ten Hag has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Liverpool on Sunday, the Manchester United manager will be bereft of the services of six first-team players.

The good news is Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Mason Mount, and Rasmus Hojlund have resumed training. The quartet should return to the matchday squad on Sunday, with Maguire and Hojlund featuring from the get-go.

But Altay Bayindir (muscular injury), Luke Shaw (hamstring), Lisandro Martinez (knee), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Omari Forson (knock), and Anthony Martial (groin) remain on the sidelines. Shaw’s absence, in particular, hurts the home side.

Andre Onana will take his usual spot between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Liverpool. The backline should feature the returning Harry Maguire alongside Raphael Varane, Diogo Dalot, and Victor Lindelof.

As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo in the double pivot. Bruno Fernandes will reprise his usual no. 10 role and look to extend his solid record in the FA Cup. Hojlund’s return will allow Marcus Rashford to return to the left flank, with Alejandro Garnacho moving to the right wing.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof; Mainoo, Casemiro; Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund

Liverpool

Unlike his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Jurgen Klopp does not have any good news to greet ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The Liverpool manager will be without eight first-team players on Sunday.

Alisson Becker (hamstring), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), and Diogo Jota (knee) are the most notable absentees. In addition, Ibrahima Konate faces a race against time to determine his availability. Meanwhile, Joel Matip (knee), Curtis Jones (bone ligament issue), Stefan Bajcetic (knock), and Thiago Alcantara (thigh) remain on the sidelines.

Liverpool will line up in a 4-3-3 formation against Manchester United, with Caoimhin Kelleher deputising for Alisson again. A backline of Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, and Andrew Robertson should protect the Irish goalkeeper.

As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past the dominant trifecta of Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Alexis Mac Allister. Endo’s presence in the middle of the park will allow Mac Allister and Szoboszlai to express themselves. Finally, Darwin Nunez should lead the line for the away side, with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz completing the numbers in the attack.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Key Stats

• Sunday’s clash will be the 15th different campaign in which Manchester United and Liverpool will have met in the FA Cup, with the Red Devils progressing ten times to Liverpool’s four. Only Everton and Liverpool (19) will have met in more different ties in the competition’s history.
• Manchester United won their last home game against Liverpool in all competitions, beating them 2-1 in the Premier League last season. They last won consecutive games against the Reds at Old Trafford in September 2015. Meanwhile, the Reds lost their most recent FA Cup encounter with Manchester United 3-2 in January 2021. Overall they have been eliminated by the Red Devils ten times from the competition, more than they have against any other opponent.
• Manchester United have failed to score in six of their last nine meetings with Liverpool in all competitions, including the most recent two. They have not gone three successive games without a goal against the Reds since May 1977.
• Manchester United alternated between elimination (4) and progression (4) in their last eight FA Cup quarter-finals, and they are looking to reach the semi-finals in consecutive campaigns for the first time since 2003-04/2004-05. On the other hand, Liverpool have progressed from 17 of their last 18 FA Cup quarter-final ties, failing only with a 2-1 defeat against Tottenham in 1994/95 in this run.
• Bruno Fernandes has been involved in six goals in his last six FA Cup appearances for Manchester United, scoring five and assisting one.

Player to Watch

Rasmus Hojlund

Embed from Getty Images

Manchester United dearly felt Hojlund’s absence in the last few games, showing how much the Dane has grown in his role. The youngster could not buy a domestic goal in the first half of the 2023/24 season. But he turned things around dramatically before injuries struck him.

So, with Hojlund taking part in training this week, Erik ten Hag will feel his team will have a legitimate chance of beating Liverpool and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals. That will also allow Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho to resume their partnership on the flanks. All in all, Manchester United can potentially be in full flow on Sunday.

Prediction

Manchester United 1-3 Liverpool

Rasmus Hojlund’s return will create a buoyant atmosphere in the Manchester United dressing room. So, while the home side will still adopt a transitional approach, they will be confident of springing a surprise on the indomitable Liverpool.

However, the gulf in quality and form between the two sides will shine as the minutes wear on. Sunday’s match will have a similar look as the recent Manchester Derby, with the Red Devils taking the lead before Liverpool blow the hosts away. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Jurgen Klopp and his charges, who will continue their charge for an unprecedented quadruple.