Manchester United have finally won the transfer race over Chelsea to the signing of £70m striker – Fabrizio Romano confirmed as player is now heading to London for Medical.
This weekend, Manchester United is set to host Liverpool in a highly anticipated Premier League clash, spotlighting a tactical battle between two prominent managers, Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot. This marks their fifth encounter, following their earlier duels in the Dutch Eredivisie. In their past confrontations, Slot’s Feyenoord claimed victory over Ten Hag’s Ajax twice during the 2019-20 season, but Ajax bounced back with wins in the following season.
Now both managers are steering Premier League teams, making their tactical showdown in this match one to watch. Adding to the historical significance, this will be the first time since 2016 that two Dutch managers face off in the Premier League, with the last instance being Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea against Ronald Koeman’s Southampton.
Manchester United’s season has been marked by inconsistency. After an initial victory over Fulham, they recently suffered a defeat against Brighton. Securing a win against Liverpool could be a crucial turning point for United, potentially reigniting their campaign. However, Liverpool has proven to be a challenging opponent for United in recent years, with United winning only once in their last 12 Premier League meetings—a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford during the 2022-23 season. On the other hand, Liverpool has started strong, winning both of their opening games against Ipswich and Brentford and demonstrating resilience in their recent trips to Old Trafford.
As for team news, Manchester United might be without Mason Mount, who was forced off the field against Brighton due to injury. His absence could be a significant blow, considering his injury troubles last season. Other players like Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, and Leny Yoro are also expected to miss out, while Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt might make their first starts.
Liverpool’s lineup will also see some changes. Jarrell Quansah might be sidelined with a minor issue, possibly leading to Ibrahima Konate teaming up with Virgil van Dijk, who is set to reach his 200th appearance for the club. Despite these changes, Liverpool’s squad remains formidable, with Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz expected to retain their spots, and Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez ready to add to their attacking options.
Notably, Marcus Rashford has been a standout performer for Manchester United against Liverpool, with seven goals in ten appearances at Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah holds the record for the most goals by a visiting player at Old Trafford in Premier League history, with six strikes. Salah has also been on fire in recent away fixtures against Manchester United, scoring in each of his last six matches and amassing a total of nine goals.
In other news, Manchester United is reportedly close to finalizing a deal for Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. Ugarte, who has drawn comparisons to a Liverpool legend by South American football analyst Tim Vickery, could be a valuable addition to United’s squad as they aim to climb up the league table.
