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Both Manchester United and Liverpool were involved in an enthralling display in the UEFA Champions League this week. Manchester United made a stunning comeback against Atalanta at Old Trafford to register a 3-2 win while Liverpool won 2-3 away at Atletico Madrid.
While both teams had impressive outings in midweek, they will be hoping to have the same confidence for the weekend. Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday in the Premier League.
Manchester United vs Liverpool will dictate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's future
Liverpool have been very impressive this season, currently being one point behind league leaders Chelsea. They have done amazingly well in attack, being ruthless and efficient in front of goal. On the other end, Manchester United have been quite inconsistent and certainly not at their best.
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The Red Devils' last outing in the league ended in a 4-2 defeat to Leicester City. With every match crucial to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's position as Manchester United's manager, Sunday's match has become all the more important for his survival. Solskjaer will have to be at his very best tactically to defeat a dangerous side like Liverpool. On that note, let's look at five things Manchester United must ensure they do so that they can beat Liverpool:
#5 Start with Fred and Scott McTominay
Fred has come under a lot of scrutiny this season for his inability to be consistent and productively participate in the attack. Scott McTominay, on the other hand, has not been seen as a good passer of the ball.
All said and done, both Fred and McTominay are Manchester United's best options to contain the Liverpool attack. Last week against Leicester City, with a midfield combination of Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, United had no control whatsoever in midfield. The Foxes brutally dominated and the same is very likely to happen against Liverpool.
With a double pivot of Fred and McTominay, United comparatively have more security in midfield. Against Atalanta in the second half, Fred was able to showcase his capabilities and it will be once again required against Liverpool at the weekend. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should definitely start with this duo or else Liverpool can go on a rampage at Old Trafford.
#4 Be ruthless on the counter
Manchester United's identity under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may be unknown as of now but one thing the Red Devils do have is an incredible amount of pace. With the likes of Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho in attack, United do have the legs to outrun most opponents.
Liverpool's defense is known to be a bit vulnerable on the counter, especially with their fullbacks frequently committed in the attack. Both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have a tendency to be out of position with their attacking mindset and Manchester United can capitalize on that.
The 20-time English league champions have shown what they are capable of it against Atalanta. If they manage to perform in the same fashion against Liverpool, they do have the ammunition to hurt the Reds this Sunday.
#3 Manchester United must use Paul Pogba effectively
Both Manchester United and Liverpool have match-winners in their squads. Paul Pogba is certainly one of them. The Frenchman came on as a substitute against Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League this midweek and was quite influential in helping United register an amazing comeback.
The same Pogba was one of the players who received criticism after the 4-2 defeat against Leicester City last weekend. With seven assists to his name already in the Premier League, the midfielder remains a vital player for Manchester United against Liverpool.
Pogba will not necessarily have to start the game against Liverpool as accommodating him with Fred and McTominay in the team will be a bit difficult. He can be very lethal, though, once he comes off the bench. He'll be more fresh than others and with his creativity, he can orchestrate the game at his will.
His defensive work-rate hasn't been the best, and that's something Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cannot gamble with while facing the Reds.
#2 Get the ball to Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has easily been one of Manchester United's best players under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. His creativity and goal-scoring abilities have helped the Red Devils time and again.
However, the Portuguese playmaker has looked a bit rusty since returning from the international break. That being said, he was able to turn around his form in the second half against Atalanta. He remains Manchester United's best source to be productive in front of goal.
The former Sporting Lisbon midfielder already has four goals to his name and it goes without saying that he will be well motivated to face Liverpool at the weekend. Solskjaer will have to make sure Fernandes' teammates find him as often as possible and let the Portuguese maestro perform his magic on the pitch.
#1 Solid positioning of full-backs against Liverpool
One of the reasons Manchester United have struggled with poor form is because of the performances of full-backs. Aaron Wan-Bissaka hasn't looked as sturdy and strong at the back as he normally does and Luke Shaw has been caught out of position multiple times this season.
Both English full-backs will have to be at their very best while facing Liverpool. Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are both capable of doing a lot of harm if they are given the space and time to do so. Shaw has to be more cautious among the full-backs with Salah being in the form of his life right now.
With Liverpool's full-backs taking an attacking approach, there will be very little respite for their Manchester United counterparts. Resisting the overlapping and linkup between Liverpool's attackers and full-backs is something Shaw and Wan-Bissaka will have to do efficiently.
They will have to be on their toes and if Manchester United are to have a strong chance of winning this fixture. Shaw and Wan-Bissaka will have to be at their ultimate best to ensure they do not wander out of position.
