FA Cup preview: United v Liverpool

Thursday 21 January 2021 15:59

Manchester United welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford for a mouthwatering cup tie on Sunday.

For the second time in a week, the two most successful teams in English football will go head-to-head, this time in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Following the 0-0 stalemate at Anfield in the Premier League, in which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side created the better chances, the Reds will hope to get one over on the Merseysiders this time around.

Without further ado, here’s all you need to know ahead of another clash between the two great rivals...

Highlights: Liverpool 0 United 0 Video

Highlights: Liverpool 0 United 0

Watch the best bits from our important draw at Anfield, including some great defending and two big chances...

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?

The match at Old Trafford kicks off at 17:00 GMT on Sunday and will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC One. You can follow all the action on ManUtd.com and in our Official App, where you can also track in-game data via our Match Centre. MUTV will also provide build-up, live radio commentary and post-match reaction, as well as showing full reruns of the game the following day. The Match Day Live programme on MUTV starts at 15:55 GMT.

TEAM NEWS

Our Swedish centre-back Victor Lindelof missed the trip to Fulham in midweek with a back injury and it’s unclear if he’ll be involved against Liverpool. Brandon Williams and Phil Jones are also injured, but the rest of the squad is looking sharp and Ole could take the opportunity to rotate, with key league games against Sheffield United and Arsenal on the horizon before the end of the month.

As for the visitors, defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez remain sidelined with long-term injuries, but Joel Matip is working his way back from a spell out and might be available for selection for Jurgen Klopp. Summer signing Diogo Jota is still a few weeks away from returning, according to the German, while the involvement of Naby Keita and Kostas Tsimikas is doubtful.

FORM GUIDE

United overcame Watford 1-0 in the previous round, whereas Liverpool progressed after beating a young Aston Villa side 4-1: Villa had the first team sidelined due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

United have been in great form recently and the Reds claimed another win on Wednesday night, as Solskjaer’s men beat Scott Parker's Fulham 2-1 to go top of the Premier League.

Ahead of Thursday's match with Burnley, Klopp’s side have failed to win any of their last four in the league.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Our overall record against our north-west rivals is fairly close but United certainly edge it in terms of wins. In 205 games between the clubs since 1894, United have come out on top 80 times, whereas Liverpool have won 67. Some 58 matches, like last weekend, have ended with honours even.

Liverpool are actually United’s most common opponent in the competition, with 17 previous FA Cup meetings. We have the edge over the Merseysiders in the world’s oldest club tournament, with nine wins. Four matches have ended drawn - if that happens again on Sunday, we'll go to extra time and possibly penalties - while Liverpool have come out on top on four occasions.

Anfield aftermath proves our progress

 Article

The fact there was a tinge of disappointment after a draw can only be a positive for Ole's Reds.

PLAYER TO WATCH

It is expected that both teams will make adjustments to the sides that battled it out for Premier League points last weekend. In our last encounter, we experienced the quality of Brazilian shot-stopper Allison. Liverpool’s no. 1 pulled off several quality saves to prevent Ole’s men from returning to Manchester with three points in the bag. Thiago Alcantara also showed his ability in his first Anfield start after struggling with injury, while Mohamed Salah is Liverpool’s leading scorer, with 17 strikes to his name so far this campaign.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

In the latest edition of United Review, you can expect an exclusive interview with Edinson Cavani, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's manager notes and quality features about the rivalry between England’s two most successful teams.

You can get your copy of United Review for the blockbuster fourth-round tie now, via manutd.com/programme.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Craig Pawson
Assistants: Gary Beswick, Richard West
Fourth official: Jonathan Moss
VAR: Andre Marriner
VAR Assistant: Marc Perry

WHO ELSE IS PLAYING?

FRIDAY 22 JANUARY

Chorley v Wolves (19:45)

SATURDAY 23 JANUARY

Southampton v Arsenal (12:15 GMT)
Barnsley v Norwich
Brighton v Blackpool
Millwall v Bristol City
Sheffield United v Plymouth
Swansea v Nottingham Forest
West Ham v Doncaster
Cheltenham v Manchester City (17:30 GMT)

SUNDAY 24 JANUARY

Chelsea v Luton (12:00 GMT)
Brentford v Leicester (14:30 GMT)
Fulham v Burnley (14:30 GMT)
UNITED v Liverpool (17:00 GMT)
Everton v Sheffield Wednesday (20:00 GMT)

MONDAY 25 JANUARY

Wycombe v Tottenham (19:45 GMT)

TUESDAY 26 JANUARY

Bournemouth v Crawley (19:00 GMT)

Matches will be played at 15:00 GMT unless stated otherwise.

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