There is no bigger game in football. There, I said it!

I think these two have something more than any other club rivalry. I feel that what makes United v Liverpool so special is that the two clubs are so similar.

Both wear red, both have rich histories, success, tragedy, and a massive following.

As much as I don't like them, because they are so much like United, I have a lot of respect for Liverpool Football Club.

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But whenever they come up against us, screw 'em.

To know that if we beat them, Champions League football is guaranteed, adds something extra to what is an already spicey game.

It's gonna be a good one 🍿.

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Predicted Lineup

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I doubt we'll see too many changes. In fact, I've kept things the same with only Cunha making a return, if he is available. I think a player like him is key in such a game.

Dorgu did return to the bench last time out but I don't think he will be ready to start. Even if he is, I doubt he will be selected.

I know that Carrick has also gone with the false 9 in these bigger matches but with the drop in performances of both Amad and Mbeumo, and Sesko being in form, I feel the use of the traditional striker will be the way.

There is the curveball that Carrick might go with a back three considering what he did in that second half against Brentford.

I don't think he will but that door is now open after Monday's win.

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Approach

Liverpool average the second highest possession with 59.6%. This suggests that they would dominate the ball. And as we know, will make United all too happy.

We love playing without the ball!

If you look at the majority of wins under Carrick, this has been the approach. We've been out-xG'd in most of his games and his average possession has dropped across his 13 matches.

In his first seven, Carrick averaged 52% possession. His following six has seen that drop to 49%. Not the biggest difference but to average just about 50% in his four months indicates that we aren't too unhappy without the ball.

So we can expect to have very little of it again on Sunday.

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The wins over City, Arsenal and Chelsea perfectly show what we can do when we play on the counter or look for moments rather than dictate the game and create opportunities through patterns of play.

Mbeumo's opener v City was on the counter. The 3 against Arsenal relied on a mistake by Martin Zubimendi and two wonder goals by Cunha and Dorgu. Tbf, the Chelsea strike was well-worked but again, that was the only moment we had. It ended up winning us the game but the Blues dominated.

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The game at Anfield was similar as well.

Very little possession. We scored on the break. Relied on a set-piece, and that was that. Liverpool also hit the post a few times and missed a couple sitters that on another day, would've comfortably won them the game.

I know that this was under Ruben Amorim but we are still following that familiar pattern.

In all of these games though, we had a firing Mbeumo. The only team he failed to score against was Chelsea. The two against City and Liverpool were on the counter as well.

Now that his performances has dipped, will we be able to rely on him for those transitions?

Sesko isn't this type of player, Cunha might not be back - nor does he like to run into space, Amad has been poor, and that leaves...?

So if we cannot use the counters as we hope to, then it really does come down to moments and set-pieces again. Carrick will be hoping skipper Bruno magnifico will conjure up something special once more.

He has been a man in form since the interim took over with his 14 goals and assists in 13 matches. He assisted in all four of the wins over City, Arsenal, Chelsea and earlier at Liverpool as well.

The aerial threat we have with Maguire, Casemiro and Sesko can be the difference in a game that will most likely be very tight.

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As I said, Carrick could go to a back three. Now I don't know the interim too well but if he has anything about him, he would know that this is NOT what we want to see.

However, it sort of did the trick against Brentford as Carrick looked to limit the amount of chances the Bees had.

In that first half, they were all over us after Casemiro's opener. The United boss decided to sure things up in the second period and opted for that notorious back three.

Brentford then hardly had any opportunities even though they did manage to score.

You could say that while chances were limited, United still lost that second half 1-0 after going to a back three.

I would suggest to forget about this approach Michael.

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Form

Back-to-back victories sees United maintain that 3rd spot and gives Carrick the opportunity to qualify for the UCL by getting another 3 points on Sunday.

We also opened up a 3-point gap to LFC and Villa in 4th and 5th which gives us a little breathing room.

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Even at home, United are 3rd in the table. That win over Brentford moved us back into this position as the game before that saw us suffer defeat to Leeds.

In 17 matches, we've won 11, drawnthree and lost three. Only Arsenal and City have scored more than our 33 at home. On the other hand, the 20 we've conceded at Old Trafford is the most in the top 10, which is a bit of a problem.

One of the big differences between Carrick and Amorim however, is not just the formation - but the numbers.

Not only has the former midfielder improved results and league position but he's kept more clean sheets - 4 compared to Amorim's 2, conceded fewer goals per game - 1.1 to 1.5, and has scored more per game - 1.8 with Carrick compared to 1.7 with Amorim.

I was suprised by these numbers because I didn't think he would be better in everything. So fair play to him for that.

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But what this game gives Carrick is the opportunity to achieve something we almost never see:

Complete the 'big six' set.

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The United interim has already faced four of the traditional big six so far... and has beaten all of them.

• Utd 2-0 City
• Arsenal 2-3 Utd
• Utd 2-0 Spurs
• Chelsea 0-1 Utd

Liverpool are the only remaining such opponent for him to do something I don't think has ever been done before, at least not in a long time at United.

I know these are only half the games but even still, to face all of them and potentially beat all of them, is an incredible feat.

This is another feather he can add to his cap in his bid to become permanent boss.

Even as a doubter of Carrick's, I have to admit that this is something special 👏.

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Victory over LFC could also be the first time we do the double over them since 15/16. Another record for Carrick - along with Amorim - to break.

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Forget about the recent record because other than this latest win and a few draws, our great rivals have handed our arses to us on a plate.

Many times.

Since the 19/20 season, Liverpool have won six of the 13 games in the PL. There's been five draws and just two United triumphs.

While they haven't won as many games as you might have thought, the aggregate score reads: 33-11 💀.

33.

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More than this, in the six games at Old Trafford in this time, United have won just once which was back in 22/23 - Erik ten Hag's first official win as manager.

Yeah, we gotta sort that shit out 😬.

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Liverpool

The GREAT enemy.

The defending champions haven't actually defended their title too well, just like the last time they won the league.

Maybe they just shouldn't win it 🤷‍♂️.

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They did move up to 4th after their win and Villa's loss in their last matches and look set to join us in the Champions League next season.

Liverpool's record is not too far off of ours as well. Arne Slot's side have 17 wins (the same as United), 7 draws and 10 losses. They've scored 57 (3 behind us) and conceded 44 (2 fewer than United). This gives them a total of 58 points.

LFC are also on a three-game winning streak which along with City, is currently the longest such run in the division.

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Away from home, Liverpool's biggest issue is defeats. They've suffered seven so far which along with Palace, is the most in the top 10. They also have a -1 GD.

Slot also has a problem when it comes to conceding goals as his side have let in 26 which other than Bournemouth's 33 is again, the most in the top 10.

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When looking at their record against the big six, that doesn't make for good reading either.

In eight matches, Liverpool have two wins, two draws and four losses including being beaten home and away by City and of course, that 2-1 win for United at Anfield 😁.

In contrast to last season, LFC were top of the big six table with just one loss.

It's weird because United were bottom of that table. This season, we're at the top.

Much can change in a year.

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What can give them encouragement though, is that record against us. Just two wins in seven seasons is a pretty poor record for United regardless of opponent.

In terms of their play style, you can say that they have similarities to United as well, in that they rely on individuals, mainly Domink Szoboszlai. He has been Slot's man this season just like how Bruno has been our man since... he joined 😅.

More than him performing, I think it's clear to see that when certain players like Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk aren't playing their best football, Liverpool look like a lost team.

Speaking of Salah, he will be out of this game after suffering a hamstring injury in the win over Palace. However, he will return before the end of the season. But this means he won't have one final bow at Old Trafford.

Thank the Lord 🙌.

Bro's record against us... 😬.

Hugo Ekitike will be another big miss as he is out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury. Alisson has also had his issues recently as well.

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Prediction

I doubt we'll see a side who absolutely dominates the other. And by 'side' I mean LFC dominate us.

This is a game between two teams who aren't at their best, particularly in Liverpool's case. This could suggest a game that won't be as one-sided as in the past.

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But, due to Carrick's form against the big six, being at home and Liverpool being shit, I believe we'll WIN!

Yes 2-1 is the score line I'm going for.

Tbh though, any victory would be great.

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With there also being no threat of dropping out of the Champions League positions, it could mean a game where we see two teams play with freedom.

Hopefully that is the case.

But whatever happens, it's sure to be one hell of a match.

What are your thoughts ahead of United against Liverpool?

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Benjamin Sesko | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)

Old Trafford | Image credit: Getty Images via Goal

Alexis Mac Allister | Image via Liverpool official X (@LFC)