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WHO: Manchester United vs Liverpool
What: Premier League
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
When: Sunday, May 3 at 3:30pm (14:30 GMT)
How to follow: We will have all the construction Al Jazeera Sport from 11:30 GMT before our announcement.
Manchester United will host former rivals Liverpool in what could be a crucial game in the battle for Champions League glory.
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United have done very well under a caring boss Michael Carrickwho took over after the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.
They sit third in the table, three points ahead of Liverpool, and need two more points get the fifth finish and a place among Europe’s elite next season.
Liverpool go into the game on the back of three consecutive Premier League wins.
United manager Carrick is delighted with Liverpool’s “special” campaign
Carrick believes Manchester United vs Liverpool will always be a “stand-up” despite neither club competing in the Premier League this season.
“It’s definitely one of my favorite games, without a doubt the most famous game,” the United boss said. “There are big games and big rivalries that we have with other teams, but this one is right up there.
“The history, the highs and lows of the past have brought out in this sport the excitement and fun, and the emotion, which is a big part of it. It makes it a very special sport.”
The former United player said the team had improved significantly since last season, when they finished in 15th place, 42 points behind champions Liverpool.
“I just think it shows how much this team has changed, really, and how strong it is,” he said.
“I’m coming into the game in a good position, on the back of good results, and I’m trying to achieve and move forward.
“So, we know very well how the league is and how close it is between us. But it’s nothing, really, we’ve been focused going into this game. I think it’s one game.”
Fernandes is as talented an agent as he is emotional
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is the only supporter left in the 20 years shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Carrick believes Fernandes deserves the league’s Player of the Year award for his performances this season.
“I hope they will (win),” Carrick said on Monday after the 2-1 win over Brentford.
“He deserves it because of the impact he’s had and the time he’s put in, whether it’s creating or scoring or just being an influence in the team. He’s had a great season.”
Salah did not play for United but will be back before the end of the season
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah will miss Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, but manager Arne Slot confirmed on Friday that he is expected to return before the end of the season.
Salah was forced off Liverpool’s 3-1 win against Crystal Palace last weekend with a concussion, prompting fears it could end his campaign and his career at Anfield, with the Egyptian set to depart at the end of the campaign.
Liverpool said on Wednesday that the injury was not as serious as first feared and that Salah would be fit again before the end of the campaign.
“As we know from Mo (Salah), he always works hard when he is healthy and when he is injured to come back as soon as possible,” Slot told reporters.
“We hope he will be back at the end of the season but not on Sunday (against Man Utd).
“In any case, it’s great that his injuries are minor, so he can play for us and at the World Cup. If there’s ever been a player who should have been sent off, it’s Mo.”
‘I saw how good they are’
Slot praised Carrick for managing United and emphasized the importance of the game.
“We know it’s a big game, not just because we’re playing against United but also to qualify for the Champions League and get the top spot in the competition,” Slot said.
“We always knew he was good but now he is showing in the league, it would be good for him to play once a week.
“When we play them every time, I’ve seen how good they are and now they are, especially under Michael Carrick, they are very consistent in their results.”
Head to head
The two clubs have met 243 times, with Manchester United winning 92 games to Liverpool’s 82, with 71 of those games ending in draws.
The last five events:
- October 19, 2025: Liverpool 1-2 Man Utd (Premier League)
- January 05, 2025: Liverpool 2-2 Man Utd (Premier League)
- September 01, 2024: Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
- April 07, 2024: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
- March 17, 2024: Man Utd 4-3 Liverpool (FA Cup quarterfinal)
What happened in the last match between these two sides?
Harry Maguire scored a late winner if United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield in October to beat the hosts for the fourth time in a row.
Bryan Mbeumo put United ahead two minutes later and although Cody Gakpo equalized in the 78th minute, Maguire sealed his first win at Anfield since 2016 with an 84th-minute header.
United team news
Carrick said midfielder Matheus Cunha has recently returned to training after injury and is expected to feature, adding that he is hopeful that Luke Shaw will be able to play.
Matthijs de Ligt is still working his way back to fitness and will not be involved with Liverpool.
Predictions from XI:
Lammens (goalkeeper); Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Liverpool team news
Goalkeeper Alisson Becker is still injured, but Slot said he is “very close” to training with the club again.
Deputy goalkeeper Giorgi Mamadashvili is also out for several weeks after injuring his knee in the Merseyside derby against Everton in April, so third-choice stopper Freddie Woodman is expected to continue in goal after impressing in last week’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Along with Salah, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike are also unavailable due to injury – with the latter missing the World Cup with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Left-back Milos Kerkez is in doubt as he has been knocked out.
Predictions from XI:
Woodman (goalkeeper); Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isaac
