Manchester United vs Liverpool – UEFA Europa League – Preview

Posted on March 17, 2016 by Sreya

Manchester United hosts Liverpool at the Old Trafford on 17th March, Thursday for the return leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 fixture. The Red Devils are aiming to overturn a mammoth 2-0 deficit from the first leg and will have to play an exceptional game to progress to the quarter-finals.

Louis van Gaal has come under immense pressure throughout the season, but getting knocked out of the FA Cup, the Europa League and from the race for top four of the Premier League within the span of a week could spell the end of Van Gaal’s managerial reign at the Manchester-based club.

Liverpool, on the contrary, are enjoying a rich vein of form and will be brimming with confidence when they take on a depleted United side.

Team News

Luke Shaw, Phil Jones, Wayne Rooney, Will Keane and Donald Love are still sidelined with injuries while Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson are yet to regain match fitness.

The visitors will be without the injured Joe Allen, Joseph Gomez, Danny Ings, Kevin Stewart and Cameron Brannagan. Martin Skrtl is a doubt as well.

Manchester United Possible Starting Lineup: David De Gea, Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Juan Mata, Marouanne Fellaini, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial.

Liverpool Possible Starting Lineup: Simon Mignolet, Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, Alberto Moreno, Jordan Henderson, Emre Can, Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge.

Thoughts From Both Camps

“We have to believe. I have spoken with the players only about the victory. We always owe to the fans a big result because the fans are paying to see that. We have to deliver.”

– Louis van Gaal, Manchester United.

“We know about the job we have to do. I am absolutely optimistic. But at the same time it’s only halfway. We’ll go into the game confident we can finish the job.”

– Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, Manchester United have won five and lost only one out of their previous six encounters with arch rivals Liverpool. In fact, Manchester United have won nine out of their last ten home matches against Liverpool in all competitions.

However, Manchester United have lost five of their last six UEFA Europa League games, conceding a minimum of two goals in those matches. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last nine Europa League matches and will be hopeful of their chances.

On current form, a 1-1 draw is the most probable outcome and Liverpool are likely to progress to the next round.