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The biggest battle of the season is almost upon us. On one side we have high flying Liverpool, currently top of the table, unbeaten in the league and scoring goals galore. Jurgen Klopp's team has been firing on all cylinders, resting on the defensive solidity provided by the mammoth Alisson in goal and the colossal Virgil van Dijk at the center of defense. But the biggest advantage of Liverpool coming into this game has been the return to form of their talisman Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian has scored 13 goals in all competitions so far this season and has scored 4 goals in his last 2 games! Liverpool have everything going right for them right now and they have the upper hand in this battle.
On the other side we have Jose Mourinho's team, who have stuttered and stumbled all season. Manchester United are currently 6th in the table and have conceded 20 goals more than Liverpool! Their performance all season has failed to impress - after good runs against Arsenal and Fulham in the Premier League, the Old Trafford side had another no show against Valencia in the Champions League. United are pegged with defensive problems and have been unable to stop the goals from flying in. As such, this is a battle that does not favour the Red Devils at all. However, being underdogs has worked to their advantage in recent time.
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Since the Arsenal game, Jose Mourinho has opted for a totally different ideology, with a fast, fluid set of players, who move the ball forward with speed and also use the wings well. This has transformed the team, as the Portuguese has used the qualities of the players at his disposal well. As such, brushing away Manchester United altogether might not be a good idea yet.
As the world gears up for a Super Sunday, we take a look at the 5 Manchester United players who can inspire and help United overcome Liverpool at Anfield.
#5 Ashley Young
Ashley Young will have a huge responsibility on Sunday, because he will have Mohamed Salah for company. The veteran defender has dealt with the Egyptian well in the past and has also been good when given a specific job by Mourinho. Salah likes to drift inside to take a shot on his preferred left foot and since Young is predominantly right-footed, he could use this to his advantage.
Young is good in his tackles, is quite strong himself and has developed into a good defender in recent times. With Luke Shaw still injured and his involvement on Sunday uncertain, Young is United's safest bet at Left Back and the Englishman does bring quite a few qualities that would unsettle Liverpool.
Young is quite effective going forward and scored a beautiful goal in the last game against Fulham. His ability to cut inside and curl one into the far corner is a great asset. As such, Young will be looking to put Alisson to test throughout the game and it would suit Manchester United well.
#4 Diogo Dalot
Young Dalot has impressed everyone in the two games he has played so far. While Ashley Young has completed the most crosses for Manchester United in the Premier League - 93, the young Portuguese especially caught the eye with his fantastic crosses that were begging to be put in. Dalot's arrival in the right side has already balanced Manchester United when going forward and he has been the bolt of fresh blood that United needed in the team.
Dalot has already completed 13 crosses in the three games he has played. He played for 18 minutes against Southampton, coming off the bench and then started in both the next two games. The Portuguese has so far created 2 big chances and has 4 accurate long balls to his name.
He has been a welcome change to the United set up and has been a delight going forward. Yet, he has been strong at the back as well. His recovering has been good and he has been great in duels as well, where his turn of pace has been quite effective. Dalot has also performed well in 50/50 challenges.
Against Liverpool, Dalot will face his biggest challenge so far, but the youngster also has enough in him to trouble the opposition too. How United fare will depend a lot on how their younger Portuguese does on the night.
#3 Ander Herrera
You just cannot write Ander Herrera off. Fred's arrival was supposed to be the end of the Spaniard, yet the irony is that Herrera has been the best midfielder in the United team in the recent weeks. In fact, he has been so good that Pogba's relegation to the bench has had no impact on the team. While the Spaniard might not be as talented as the Frenchman, it is what he brings to the table that separates him from the rest.
Herrera is the terrier on the field, the mad dog that Mourinho desires. He is always busy, always closing down the opposition and slotting in effortlessly alongside his defenders to provide the steel in the middle. He has the highest tackles among all United players, even though he has started just 5 games and was involved from the bench in 4 others!
Only Ashley Young has more interceptions - 23, than Herrera, who has 21. It is clear that no current player can match Herrera's energy in the midfield and he is a vital component of the United team right now. But there is something else about Herrera that will have Liverpool worried ahead of Sunday.
The Spaniard is extremely intelligent and is the unsung leader on the field. His ability to improvise and take quick decisions makes him an asset to Manchester United and if Herrera is allowed to play his natural game, Liverpool will be in trouble.
#2 David De Gea
The Spaniard is probably having his worst season in United colours, but there is no denying his qualities. Most of the blame for his present situation has to fall upon Manchester United's faulty defence. However, if there was any goalkeeper you would rather have to defend the goal behind such a leaky defence, few people would look past the mercurial Spaniard.
De Gea has already conceded 26 goals in the league, but some of his saves this season have still been World Class. In fact, the Red Devils would have been in further mess had it not been for the Spaniard. Granted, his slip against Arsenal was uncharacteristic, but United's prolonged sorry run has dented De Gea's confidence and has also affected his concentration. Perhaps a deserved rest ahead of the visit to Anfield will be the perfect way for him to regenerate his senses and calm his nerves.
Against Liverpool, Manchester United will most certainly concede again. However, one can be certain that De Gea will be inspired and raring to show Alisson who the real boss of the Premier League is. The Spaniard will be key to Manchester United getting points from Anfield.
#1 Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial has been the silver lining of Manchester United's dismal season. The Frenchman has now scored 7 goals in his last 8 games and has single-handedly carried United to the 6th position. His good form has been a blessing for his club, especially since the rest of the front players - Lukaku, Sanchez and Rashford in particular - have been going through a lean phase.
However, Martial has missed last week's win over Fulham and the midweek loss to Valencia in the Champions League due to a rumoured injury and it will be a huge blow to United if the Frenchman cannot recover in time for the trip to Anfield on Sunday.
However, if Martial is fit, Liverpool will have their hands full and will be worried whenever he gets the ball near the box. When Martial cuts in, he is almost as dangerous as anyone in that position. Also, the Frenchman has improved his finishing this season and has been more clinical in front of goal.
He has also looked more involved in the game and has tracked back quite well. The way Liverpool play means that Manchester United will have space to exploit and Martial's speed and technical ability could punish Liverpool in the counter then.
If the Frenchman is on song on Sunday, he will take some stopping. He is currently Manchester United's best player and is the player United will have all their hopes pinned on.
