United Beyond Manchester

Manchester United and Liverpool face off at Old Trafford for the first of two remaining meetings this Sunday. In this season’s first meeting, Manchester United held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield, with Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane valiantly earning the clean sheet. Can Manchester United push through to the FA Cup Semifinals this weekend?

Historical Highlight

Sir Alex Ferguson won his final North-West Derby in January 2013. Robin van Persie opened the scoring with a finish from a cross after a brilliant team move. Nemanja Vidic added a second in the 54th minute after Patrice Evra headed a ball that inadvertently was redirected goalwards by Vidic. Daniel Sturridge pulled one back, but it was not enough for the visitors and United won 2-1.

Current Form

Manchester United won against Everton with a very unconvincing 2-0 result. Both penalties were won by Alejandro Garnacho, whose quick feet allowed Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes to score. This was the result, not the performance, that United needed after the defeat at the Etihad.

Before the draw against City, Liverpool was on a four-match Premier League win streak with wins in the EFL Cup and FA Cup sprinkled in. Jurgen Klopp’s side are in good form and will be looking to win multiple trophies for their departing manager after already securing the Carabao Cup.

Team News

Manchester United are starting to see players return from the injury list instead of heading to it. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Rasmus Hojlund, and Harry Maguire could all return for Sunday’s match at Old Trafford. Rasmus Hojlund and Harry Maguire were in good form before finding themselves on Erik Ten Hag’s long injury list.

The return of Wan-Bissaka may finally mean that a more natural player could be shifted to left-back. Ten Hag will finally have options at a critical period of the season, starting with the North-West Derby.

Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, and Anthony Martial remain out with long-term injuries.

The visitors will be without a number of first team-players, including Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Diogo Jota. Critically, they welcomed back Mohammed Salah against Manchester City, and he will be available from the start in this one.

Other long-term absentees for Liverpool: Thiago, Curtis Jones, Ben Doak, Joel Matip, and Stefan Bajcetic

Predicted Starting XI

GK: Andre Onana

Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Raphael Varane, Diogo Dalot

Midfielders: Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes

Attackers: Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford

Match Prediction

Manchester United will advance to the FA Cup Semi-Finals with a 2-1 win over Liverpool. United proved that they can perform in the rivalry with the 0-0 draw at Anfield earlier this season. After the charge from Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney this week, Old Trafford will be ready to back the Reds. United’s goals will come from Casemiro and a returning Rasmus Hojlund.

One Bold Prediction

A Manchester United win isn’t bold enough? My bold prediction is that Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan Bissaka will stifle the Liverpool wingers. This will be the critical area for Manchester United defensively against this Liverpool team, and the two outside backs will rise to the occasion. The away side’s goal will come through the middle, with Darwin Nunez scoring.

Drop your score predictions and lineups in the comments!