Kobbie Mainoo is relishing another chance to take on Liverpool at Old Trafford, with the Manchester United midfielder highlighting the extra importance of the clash due to its early position in the fixture calendar.
We host the Merseysiders at 16:00 BST on Sunday and the mood could be very different going into the first international break of the season, depending on the result.
Liverpool have won both of their first two league fixtures under new manager Arne Slot, beating Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road, before seeing off Brentford by the same scoreline at Anfield last weekend.
United are playing catch-up, following the late reverse at Brighton on the south coast.
“For both of us, it’s a huge game so early in the season,”
Mainoo said in our exclusive interview for United Review, the official matchday programme.
“I feel like it will have a big impact on how the start of the season will map out, because it's such a big fixture, it will affect us.
“So yeah, we'll have to prepare right and we'll be ready for it.”
Memories are still fresh of Liverpool’s two most recent visits to the Theatre of Dreams, with Mainoo playing a key role in both contests.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were overcome 4-3, after extra-time, in one of the greatest Emirates FA Cup ties of them all, back in March.
Three weeks later, Kobbie brilliantly scored his first senior Old Trafford goal, as United came from behind to lead against the title challengers, before a late Mohamed Salah penalty ensured the shares were spoiled.
“That was a crazy game, probably one of the best games of last season,”
Kobbie added, when asked about the cup clash, settled by Amad’s 120th-minute goal.
“And then the other one, my first goal at Old Trafford.
“Unfortunately, we couldn't win that, but I still have fond memories from it.”
It’s set to be another memorable atmosphere at our stadium, as we seek just a second home league win over our arch-rivals since 2018.
“Both games at Old Trafford, it was rocking. It was amazing. So that definitely helps us.
“It’s like a 12th man on the pitch for us when it's like that, so we appreciate that.”