The focus of English football has firmly been on European action this week as Tottenham were dumped out of the Champions League while Manchester City and Liverpool cruised into the quarter-final. The latter are in action again this weekend against an age-old rival, Manchester United. The two heavyweights meet at Old Trafford in Saturday’s early kick-off as both sides fight for second place. United currently occupy second spot but the Reds are just two points behind them in third.

STATS

• Man United haven’t been particularly convincing at times this season in the Premier League but they are still in second and are still in with a chance of a Champions League quarter-final place. They have won three and lost two of their last five, losing more ground on runaway leaders, Manchester City in the process. Losses against Tottenham and Newcastle were disappointing while a very late winner in the 3-2 win over Crystal Palace saved the points.
• Liverpool have been in devastating form in the league recently and it has seen them get within touching distance of Jose Mourinho’s side. They’re unbeaten in their last five top-flight games, with a controversial 2-2 draw with Spurs stopping them from winning five in a row. They eased past Newcastle in their last league game with a 2-0 win at Anfield.
• After his Man of the Match performance against Chelsea, all eyes will be on Romelu Lukaku at Old Trafford, he’s the Red Devils’ top scorer with 14 goals in the league this term.
• No player in the English top-flight has scored more than Mohamed Salah, who has 24 goals, joint with Harry Kane. With eight assists, he has also contributed to more goals than anyone else.

HEAD TO HEAD

After having such a strong history of great matches between these two sides, the last few have been boring. Four draws on the bounce in all competitions with just four goals in those games, sums it up. There was none when they met last, in October: David de Gea stole the show with a brilliant performance as neither side could break the deadlock. Liverpool last won at the Theatre of Dreams almost four years ago, in March 2014 thanks to a brace of Steven Gerrard penalties and Luis Suarez’ late goal. There have been under 2.5 goals in each of the last six meetings between these two sides.

MANCHESTER UNITED NEWS

It’s important that United take all three points on Saturday to distance themselves in second. They might have Marouane Fellaini back in the squad while Eric Bailly should be fit to start. Anthony Martial is still injured as he was for the game against Palace.

Latest matches: Manchester United

05.03.2018	Prem	Crystal Palace	Manchester United	2:3	W
25.02.2018	Prem	Manchester United	Chelsea FC	2:1	W
21.02.2018	UEFA	Sevilla FC	Manchester United	0:0	D
17.02.2018	FA C	Huddersfield Town	Manchester United	0:2	W
11.02.2018	Prem	Newcastle United	Manchester United	1:0	L

LIVERPOOL NEWS

The visitors could overtake their opponents in the league with three points and they might have the benefit of Andrew Robertson, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum all back in the team. Nathaniel Clyne isn’t ready to return so Trent Alexander-Arnold will start.

Latest matches: Liverpool FC

06.03.2018	UEFA	Liverpool FC	FC Porto	0:0	D
03.03.2018	Prem	Liverpool FC	Newcastle United	2:0	W
24.02.2018	Prem	Liverpool FC	West Ham United	4:1	W
14.02.2018	UEFA	FC Porto	Liverpool FC	0:5	W
11.02.2018	Prem	Southampton FC	Liverpool FC	0:2	W

SUMMARY

As it has been in the recent meetings between the sides, it will be very hard to split the sides on Saturday, especially if Mourinho deploys his ‘park the bus’ tactics. Man United are slight favourites because of home advantage but the pace and power of Liverpool’s attack will give them an outlet and could cause major problems for the home side.