Manchester United vs Liverpool: 5-point preview

The early kick-off on Saturday sees Manchester United welcome eternal rivals Liverpool to the Theater of Dreams. English football's biggest rivalry is set for its latest instalment with both teams keen to get one over the other.

The last three ties between them have all ended in draws, with David De Gea saving United's grace on more than one occasion. The last time Liverpool won at Old Trafford was in 2013-14 when the Luis Suarez-inspired Reds beat United 3-0.

United manager José Mourinho has won only one of his eight games against his counterpart Jurgen Klopp (D4 L3) and has taken only 0.88 points per game against him. That is his worst record against any manager whom he has faced at least three times.

However, this is a fixture where any sort of form and history needs to be thrown out of the window. There will be no shortage of motivation, as is always the case when these two meet.

On their day, Liverpool's attacking prowess can humiliate United's inconsistent side. However, Mourinho's tactical nous and experience of winning big games, especially at home, will make for a must-watch game for all football fans.

On that note, here are 5 things to look forward to when two giants of the English game clash at Old Trafford:

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#5 Second place face-off

Liverpool v Manchester United: the biggest game in England

This is arguably the biggest match between the two in recent years with both clubs having fallen off their title-contending best of the past decades.

With Manchester City having all but sealed the title barring a massive collapse, all that is up for grabs in this match is bragging rights and 2nd place in the Premier League table. Whoever wins this match will also find it easier to finish within the top four this season.

A few months ago, United seemed to be well ahead of the pack in the race for second place. However, they have been inconsistent recently and have dropped unnecessary points and find themselves having to fend off the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea to even make it to the top four.

Mourinho recently said that there is no difference between second and fourth place. However, that was probably only an attempt to take some pressure off his squad before the game that could potentially decide who would be regarded as best of the rest of England.

#4 Lukaku in a rich vein of form

Lukaku will be keen to continue his good form

After a mid-season slump, Romelu Lukaku has regained form and scored eight and assisted three in 11 matches in 2018. He has been accused of going missing in the big games, although he did his part in making things right by scoring one and setting up the other in their comeback win against Chelsea two weeks ago.

He also scored the equalizer in their thrilling win against Crystal Palace on Monday. Hence, his confidence is high and he will be hoping to contribute yet again against the Reds.

Interestingly, it was in the match against Liverpool at Anfield in October last year that his scoring run ended and his poor performances began. In that match, he was left alone and barely had any chances to score with Mourinho playing ten men behind the ball.

This time, at home, however, he will hope that he and fellow attackers are given more freedom to attack a somewhat shaky Liverpool backline.

#3 Will Mourinho go on the offensive?

Mourinho has been accused of being too defensive against the big teams

When the two sides met at Anfield this season, Mourinho set up his side to defend and play on the counter. Liverpool largely dominated the match and United managed only one shot on target from the entire game.

The Red Devils have the second-best home record in the league and have only lost to leaders Manchester City. Against the big teams at Old Trafford, they lost against City, and won against Tottenham and Chelsea.

However, in all of those big games, they have played by surrendering possession to the opposition, trying to catch them on the counter. The only exception when this did not happen was in the second half of the Chelsea game where they were forced to attack, having gone behind.

With United having a two-point advantage over Liverpool, they would be happy with a draw. Liverpool almost always take the attack to the opposition and it is expected that Mourinho will set up to play on the counter yet again.

However, they do have a tougher fixture list than Liverpool after this match, where they are likely to drop points. Hence it might be a wiser idea to attack Liverpool, especially given how vulnerable the latter's defence has been this season. Will Mourinho spring a surprise? Let's wait and watch.

#2 A true test for the Liverpool defence

Loris Karius has been improving game-by-game

Liverpool's defending has grabbed as much attention as their attacking but for the opposite reasons. During the first half of the season, they seemed to be conceding goals every time an opposition player shot at goal.

However, with the signing of Virgil van Dijk and Loris Karius' institution as the permanent No. 1 - at least until the end of the season - things have taken a turn for the better. They have kept five clean sheets in their last seven matches.

However, critics would argue that they have only faced relatively easy opposition. They do have a point, considering that the Reds conceded two goals against Spurs in February. Against Manchester United, they may not face too many shots given the way United are expected to set up.

Yet, if they are not careful, the opposition attack is clinical enough to hurt their defence and raise further questions as to whether they have indeed improved or not. Goalkeeper Karius has rewarded Klopp's trust in him producing some excellent displays and van Dijk has marshalled the defence ably.

If they manage to keep a clean sheet in this match, not only will be they be recipients of a crucial point - at least - but also the confidence that comes from keeping a top side at bay.

#1 Will Sanchez finally turn up?

Sánchez has disappointed since his January move to United

We've been asking ourselves the same question before almost every United match. First of all, should he even start the match? Sánchez has cut a frustrated figure at Manchester United, having scored only a single goal - a rebound from his own missed penalty.

What is more frustrating for Manchester United fans is that his arrival has effected a change in Anthony Martial's form as well. After turning in a string of impressive performances, Martial was displaced from his favoured left wing position upon the Chilean's arrival and has since flattered to deceive.

The focus here is on Sánchez, however, who would have been expected to fit in well into the United attack but has failed to do so, giving Mourinho a selection headache ahead of the crucial match.

Forget Pogba, all I’ve seen Sanchez do since join United is throw his arms about in frustration, misplace passes and post Instagram stories of his dogs set to 1980s American pop music.

— Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) March 5, 2018

Since moving to United, Sánchez has been dispossessed on an average of 4.4 times per game.

The next worst is Martial at 1.8. In the first half of the game against Crystal Palace alone, Sánchez was dispossessed a staggering 19 times. This has been hampering the forward momentum created by United and he needs to be more careful with the ball at his feet.

Yes, he hasn't settled in well enough at United. Yes, he hasn't shouldered responsibility when the team has looked out of sorts. And yes, he might be in poor form, given the standards he has set for himself.

Nevertheless, the fact remains that Alexis Alejandro Sánchez Sánchez is a world-class player, and on his day, can single-handedly win you any game. Hence, it is well worth the risk to start him in such a big game. He did, after all, score against Liverpool earlier this season with Arsenal.