What: English FA Cup Third Round
Who: Manchester United vs Liverpool
When: Sunday 9th January, 2011, at 13:30 UK Time
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Sky-high Confidence
When Manchester United and Liverpool face off at Old Trafford in what is always a highly anticipated fixture, the match will be undoubtedly the pick of the FA Cup third round ties. Bitter rivals who both possess rich histories, this will be a clash that pits two teams experiencing contrasting seasons.
For Sir Alex Ferguson’s United side the campaign has seen the club go from strength to strength as they not only waltzed into the knockout round of the Champions League, but also find themselves enjoying a familiar view atop the Premier League table. While United’s performances throughout the campaign haven’t hit great heights, with substance trumping style on most occasions, Ferguson has his charges winning consistently and though the title race remains close, it is the Red Devils who have emerged as the clear favourites to win a record 19th top flight crown.
Such is the confidence with which this team are playing that talk of finishing the league campaign unbeaten is beginning to surface. Ferguson may have dismissed that notion recently, but even the players have begun to discuss that feat, with winger Nani saying “I hope we can go the whole season unbeaten. We are in a great position. Provided we stay together I feel that we will finish the season with something very special.”
The Return of the King
Liverpool did on Saturday what they were expected to do on Friday – sack Roy Hodgson. The former Fulham manager failed to win over the club’s fans off the pitch, while on it his side lurched from one wretched performance to another. Defeat at Blackburn in midweek (3-1) was the final straw and American owners NESV pulled the trigger on the unhappy Londoner.
And this brings to the dugout none other than Kenny Dalglish. A club legend, who departed from the role of manager in 1991, having enjoyed vast success, has returned. Already at Anfield as club ambassador, Dalglish will pick up the pieces from Hodgson’s reign and work until the end of the season – and what a game to slip back into the Liverpool hotseat for.
As Hodgson rightly said before he bit the bullet, a victory over Man Utd at Old Trafford would be a "remarkable coup". That that statement rings true is an indication of how far the five-time European Champions have fallen since their runners-up Premier League finish in the 2008/09 campaign. The FA Cup has also taken on renewed importance for Liverpool, as the Premier League is a distant prospect at present and there is no League Cup to play for either. Dalglish will inspire confidence in his troops, but the fact remains that he takes over a slightly worse squad than may otherwise have been the case had he been appointed, as he wished, in the summer.
Recent form
Manchester United:
Birmingham 1-1 Manchester United (28/12; Premier League)
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Manchester United (01/01; Premier League)
Manchester United 2-1 Stoke (04/01; Premier League)
Liverpool:
Liverpool 0-1 Wolverhampton (29/12; Premier League)
Liverpool 2-1 Bolton (01/01; Premier League)
Blackburn 3-1 Liverpool (05/01; Premier League)
Key absences
Manchester United: Paul Scholes; John O’Shea; Edwin van der Sar (doubt); Wayne Rooney (doubt)
Liverpool: Jamie Carragher; Raul Meireles (doubt); Jay Spearing (doubt)
Players to watch
Manchester United – Dimitar Berbatov: The Bulgarian has had a season to remember for United after two mediocre campaigns to begin his Old Trafford career; his 15 goals in all competitions already exceeding his output for any of the previous two seasons. Berbatov has gone a long way towards finding the form he had back in his Tottenham Hotspur days and United have reaped the benefits this season as Ferguson has been rewarded for sticking with a striker capable of the sublime. The Bulgarian oozes class on the pitch, possessing great skill and a real nose for goal. While he has been labelled "lazy" times, when he is in form he is a handful for any defence.
Liverpool – Steven Gerrard: When Gerrard has been missing from the Liverpool line-up this season, it appears as though the team’s heart is missing. The all-action midfielder has the ability to raise the play of those around him, and while he is a skilful player who can strike from long range, it is perhaps his passion and way of motivating his team-mates that sets him apart as a captain. Gerrard has proven to be Liverpool’s talisman time and time again over the years and if the Anfield side are to come through this difficult tie then undoubtedly it will be the 30-year-old playing a huge part in the victory.
Match prediction
Due to recent results and squad confidence, it would appear at first glance that this will be a comfortable victory for United. However, in games like these, form often goes out of the window and perhaps Liverpool, inspired by the return of Kenny Dalglish, will summon up a performance that could provide the impetus for turning a terrible season around. United will remember being knocked out by Leeds United last season at the same stage and will want to avoid that, while Liverpool need to improve greatly if they are to win at Old Trafford. In the end, the Red Devils should have just enough in what may be a closer game than most think. Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool.
