Just like that, another international break has been and gone, the difference this time is that most United fans probably enjoyed not being let down by their side. Alas, Premier League football is back and this Sunday, United welcome their bitter rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford and the two teams could not be in more different form.
The Season So Far:
Since the opening day demolition of Chelsea, things have gone from bad to worse for United who currently sit 12th just two points off the relegation zone. An embarrassing defeat at Newcastle before the international break left the Reds on nine points after eight games which is United’s worst start to a campaign for 30 years.
On the other end of the spectrum, Liverpool have started the season blisteringly and have won all 8 of their opening fixtures, putting them firmly at the top of the table on 24 points, eight points clear of second placed Man City and 15 points clear of United. If the Merseyside club emerge victorious on Sunday, they will equal Manchester City’s record of 18 Premier League wins on the bounce (which is a sentence I wish I didn’t have to write).
Head to Head:
United have won just one of their last eight meetings with Liverpool, albeit five of the games ended in draws, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a United fan who’s confident that the result will swing in our favour this time around.
Liverpool have looked a huge threat offensively again this season and have found the back of the net 20 times so far this season, completely eclipsing United’s dismal tally of 9 goals and the Merseyside outfit also boast the best defensive record in the division with 6 goals conceded compared to United’s 8.
Physio’s Table:
United face another injury dilemma ahead of this Sunday’s clash after David de Gea went off injured in Spain’s draw with Sweden and Paul Pogba is yet to recover from his injury spell. The fitness of two of United’s key players will no doubt be of major concern to Solskjaer as United have already had several injury struggles so far this season. Fans will be hopeful that Wan-Bissaka, Martial and Shaw are available again, after all three were side-lined for the loss at Newcastle.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have been handed an injury boost ahead of the game, with goalkeeper Alisson and defender Joel Matip both expected to return to the starting eleven, whilst concerns over the injury Salah picked up during their win against Leicester, aren’t as bad as initially presumed.
A loss at the weekend would pile the pressure on an already under-pressure Solskjaer but a win could help to kickstart what has been an absolutely shocking season so far and ending Liverpool’s current winning streak would be a huge bonus, so what more incentive do the players need?