Manchester United travels to Anfield this afternoon for a highly anticipated match, as both teams fight for that all-important top-four finish and Champions League football next season.
It will be United manager Louis van Gaal’s first taste of Anfield, with his club on a high following their 3-0 demolition of Tottenham last weekend at Old Trafford, while Liverpool will be also confident following their 1-0 over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night to still remain the only Premiership side unbeaten in 2015.
United currently hold a two-point lead over Liverpool in what LVG calls a “rat race finish” for third and fourth place, and go into today’s match slight underdogs given Liverpool’s recent run of form.
Missing for United will be Robin van Persie and Jonny Evans with the Dutchman LVG to decide on whether or not to start Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Angle Di Maria.
Predicted Line-Up
Goalkeeper
This is of course a no-brainer with David De Gea featuring between the posts, with perhaps a touch of good news for United fans yesterday when reports out of Spain suggested that Real Madrid had now turned their attention to Chelsea No.2 Peter Cech.
Defence
Antonio Valencia will remain at right back as the Dutchman once more goes with his preferred 4.3.3 with Daley Blind out on the left. In the centre of the back four we will see Marcos Rojo play alongside Chris Smalling with Phil Jones on the bench.
Midfield
Midfield will be crucial for United, with Van Gaal once more relying on Michael Carrick in his favourite midfield role along with Herrera and Fellaini who will be called upon not only to coral Allen and Henderson but also supply front-man Wayne Rooney with balls.
Ashley young will start out on the left flank with us expecting to see Di Maria get the nod over Juan Mata out on the right.
Attack
United captain Wayne Rooney will be the lone striker with the added knowledge that he has now not scored at Anfield in over ten years, but that should in no way effect the Blue Scouser’s way of thinking as he would love nothing more than to put the ball in the back of the net against United’s bitter rivals.
