United Briefing: How we can make history at Anfield

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team made it 15 consecutive top-flight away games without defeat when overcoming Burnley at Turf Moor earlier this week, and last lost a domestic game on the road on 19 January last year – at the same stadium the Reds will visit in three days' time.

 

That was before the arrival of Bruno Fernandes, and without the two players who combined for our winner in east Lancashire on Tuesday – Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba – who were injured.

 

Since the Portuguese's arrival later that month, the Reds have been invincible away from home in the Premier League, and boast a streak of 12 wins and three draws.

The first-team squad returns to training for the first time since the Burnley game today (Thursday), as preparations are ramped up for the trip to Merseyside.

 

Arguably the biggest fixture on the English football calendar during any given season, Sunday's game could well be a direct meeting between the league's top two, though Liverpool could well have been overtaken by other clubs (who play before our match) come kick-off.

 

Either way, United head to the famous old stadium full of confidence, and buoyed by our recent rise to the top of the league table.

 

But what kind of match can we expect against Jurgen Klopp's men?

That will be the question currently being pondered by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his backroom staff – a group that now includes Darren Fletcher, who attended the match at Turf Moor – as they sip their morning cappuccinos at the Aon Training Complex.

The Norwegian has deployed his talented squad deftly in recent weeks, with no player starting every game over the traditionally jam-packed Christmas and new year period. Nevertheless, United have kept on motoring, with a Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City the only negative.

 

Burnley saw the team freshened once more, with Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic replacing Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek in midfield. Meanwhile, Fred, who is often selected for games where United might expect to cede a fair share of possession, will have enjoyed a full 10 days' rest since his last appearance when the teams walk out at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

 

Could that rotation be to United's advantage in the build-up? If United fans are not sure which starting XI will take to the field at the other end of the East Lancs Road, Klopp and his colleagues could also be left guessing. 

 

However, the champions have had much longer than us to prepare: we’ve played twice since their last outing on 8 January – a 4-1 success against much-depleted Aston Villa in the Emirates FA Cup.

There's also intrigue over the Reds' formation. United employed a 3-4-1-2 set-up in both meetings with Liverpool last season, and have used a whole host of systems already in 2020/21.

 

It all points to a fascinating game, which will no doubt dominate sports media over the next four or five days – not to mention ManUtd.com and our Official App! But whatever United configuration strides out beneath the famous "This is Anfield" sign come 16:30 GMT on Sunday, history will be within its sights.

 

Our next-but-one away trip is to Fulham on Wednesday 20 January – 366 days after that last Premier League loss to Klopp’s outfit.

 

If we beat the Scousers, or come away with a point, it means we'll complete that entire year unbeaten on our Premier League travels. And, of course, we would also have maintained, or extended, our lead at the top of the table.

 

It’s all to play for, and we’re counting down the days!

 

We said goodbye to Academy graduate Tim Fosu-Mensah, who left the club to join Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on a permanent deal.

 

As one United story ended, another one began. Amad Diallo – whose transfer was confirmed last week – spent his first day at the Aon Training Complex, after his visa was approved. Perhaps Sunday’s game at Anfield is too soon to expect him to feature for the first team, but listen out for a potential update on the club’s plans for the Ivorian winger in Ole’s press conference on Friday.

 

There was also plenty of reaction still coming in from the Burnley victory, as fans took to social media to give Nemanja Matic a big thumbs-up.

 

We’ll hear from new boy Diallo later on Wednesday, after he gave his very first interview as a Red. Keep your eyes fixed to ManUtd.com and the Official App, where you’ll be able to watch it in full.

 

As you'll have noticed in the article above, we’re also starting our look ahead to Sunday’s big clash with Liverpool. Stay tuned for early team news, plus videos of our best wins against our old rivals, and the most comprehensive build-up to the match.