Manchester United Set to Face Liverpool in Premier League Clash

Manchester United will host Liverpool at Old Trafford this Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 4pm BST. The match marks the resumption of one of the biggest rivalries in English football, featuring two Dutch managers, Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot, who are known for their tactical acumen.

Both teams have made significant moves in the recent transfer window, with Liverpool signing Federico Chiesa and Manchester United completing a deal for midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. However, Chiesa is unlikely to feature in the match, while Ugarte was not registered in time to play.

Liverpool comes into the game with six points from their opening two matches, securing wins against Brentford and Ipswich. In contrast, Manchester United has three points after a 1-0 victory over Brentford followed by a loss to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Erik ten Hag’s position at Manchester United is under scrutiny as he enters his third season, having previously led the team to victorious runs in cup competitions. His record against Arne Slot in their direct encounters has been mixed, having won two and lost two during their respective tenures in the Netherlands.

In their last unofficial meeting, Liverpool triumphed with a commanding 3-0 victory against United in a pre-season match earlier this summer. This upcoming fixture will be the first encounter where Ten Hag finds himself as the underdog against Slot.

As Manchester United looks to regain momentum, their fans are eager to see how Ten Hag will approach the match tactically. Key decisions regarding their formation—whether to continue with the 4-2-4 system or revert to the 4-2-3-1—will be crucial to their performance against Liverpool.

On the Liverpool side, Slot has shown promising tactical adjustments, particularly with the deployment of Ryan Gravenberch as a deep-lying midfielder, a role that the young player is still adapting to. His performance will be scrutinized as he faces a significant step up in competition.

Defensively, United has struggled in the early stages of the season, particularly with defending back-post crosses. This aspect of their play has been highlighted as an area of concern against a Liverpool team known for its explosive wingers and attacking prowess.