Red Devils look to tear past their bitter foes in an epic European Showdown. Here’s the preview.
On Thursday night at Old Trafford, we can expect one heck of a cheering from the Manchester United fans as England’s most successful team within the country looks to host their most bitter arch rivals Liverpool in an encounter that will see millions glued to their TV sets when the match is going on.
Manchester United, perhaps will go in as the underdogs in this game looking to overturn a deficit of 2-0. A bitter defeat was inflicted upon them at Anfield where the ruptoruous fans of Merseyside saw Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino scoring to see of Manchester United. Surprisingly, Simon Mignolet did keep a very significant clean sheet and that can make all the difference when Liverpool travel to Manchester.
United have overcome a 2-0 deficit only twice in Europe and the latest comes after beating Olympiakos 3-2 with Robin Van Persie scoring a hatrick. While Liverpool have had a full week to prepare for this clash, United come to the game after a draw in the FA Cup against West Ham and with Manchester Derby looming large.
Really positive statements have come from Manchester United’s side as their Dutchman Louis Van Gaal has openly said that if they concede a goal, they can go on to score four. Louis also insisted that they can win the game 2-0 and go on to win during extra time while on the another hand, Manchester United’s marquee midfielder Ander Herrera has expressed that even the grass will be in the favour of Manchester United. He said that if Liverpool are to go through then they would have to put up a lot of fight.
We can expect a really optimistic atmosphere in the ground at Old Trafford and whatever come maybe, Manchester United is a club that has never given up in the past and with Liverpool looking equally resilient to win the battle, we can expect another epic showdown to Unfold.
‘We are Manchester United and if Liverpool want to go to the quarter-finals they are going to have to fight,’ warned the Spanish midfielder.
‘Since I was here at United we have played five times against them and won four times. Two times we have played them at home and we won clearly. I think we were the better team and they were not so comfy playing here in front of our fans.
‘Tomorrow [Thursday] will be completely different. Old Trafford is different. The pitch is bigger, the grass is better. It’s another challenge for us and I think we are ready.’
‘We always fight, we always have the desire to win,’ he added. ‘You can never say that we don’t want to win or fight. Everyone has to respect us on that issue.
‘We are very proud because we are Manchester United players. But we should have played much better. Now we have another chance tomorrow.
Team News:
*Manchester United’s Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini will be available for selection after UEFA said that it can take no action on the player for an alleged elbow on Emre Can.
*Manchester United would have to do without Bastian Schweinsteiger as well because he’s going through the process of recovery and they’ll miss out on Ashley Young as well as Antonio Valencia due to their respective injuries.
*Winger Jesse Lingard will be available for selection after he sat out his suspension the previous game.
*Liverpool on another side have been provided with a major boost with Midfielder James Milner back for selection after recovering from his virus.
*Slovakian Centre-back Martin Skrtel and Liverpool’s right back Jon Flanagan will miss this game for the club from Merseyside.
Prediction:
A 1-1 draw.