Premier League: Manchester United Vs Liverpool – The Tide Has Turn!

Never before in recent memories – notably during Sir Alex Ferguson’s era – has Manchester United going into a Premier League game against their most intense rival Liverpool at Old Trafford as the underdogs. Here we are where Liverpool has been playing reasonably well to be at 4^th spot – and still within striking distance of the Premier League title, as well as 11 points ahead of United. And United’s season has been crumbling since the turn of the year, so what is the significant of this Sunday’s tie?

For one, United cannot afford another lost in their quest to achieve the 4^th Champions League spot – especially at Old Trafford where teams had been achieving results this season. Despite the team been relatively the same as the title winning team last season, the players had not turn up for most of the season. David Moyes, as the manager should take most blame as he failed to get the best out of this same group of players. The addition of Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini as well as the emergence of Adnan Januzaj did nothing to lift the current United team out of their demoralizing form all season. Now in the middle of March – where United has been traditionally strong – is where Moyes must gather his team out of the slump and embarks on winning runs till the end of the season.

Secondly, with the all important Champions League ties against Olympiakos coming in midweek – where United must win BIG to progress – the games against Liverpool should serve as a momentum drive. With Juan Mata out of the Champions League tie, Moyes must use the Liverpool game to ensure most players in his intended Champions League starting XI must be at least match fit. The use of Shinji Kagawa and Danny Welbeck will be critical in preparation for the Olympiakos tie. Aside from defense, players like Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata, Michael Carrick are almost certain to start against Liverpool – leaving the other two remaining spots up for grabs among the likes of Fellaini, Kagawa, Januzaj, Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Tom Cleverly and Darren Fletcher. Moyes must ensure he plans well ahead for one of the most important tie of his Manchester United career.

Lastly, any game against Liverpool will be important to United’s supporters given the histories and rivalries between this two most successful clubs in English football, especially at Old Trafford. Back in September, Javier Hernandez gave United a slim 1-0 win in a League Cup tie. United also lost 1-0 at Anfield before that but how things have changed since. This is where Moyes can give United’s fans the most satisfaction in a heart-breaking season so far.