Can't see this being too exciting unfortunately. Chief boring c**t will park the bus for sure. He only wants a draw. Up to us to break them down. We're in great form and have no reason to be fearful. Not a bit.
It will be interesting to see the set up of both teams and the small little tactical pieces that will try to be exposed.
Pre-Christmas, the tactics from Jose attacking wise could have been for United to try beat Liverpool's press and send long balls up to Lukaku to try dominate TAA/Gomez/Matip/Lovren in the air, and possibly Moreno too as he was playing a lot then.
I think with VVD in there now, it is not such an enticing prospect for United. He is so dominant. he might not win 10/10 balls against Lukaku, that's just not possible, but he will win a lot of them 50/50 duels IMO. The out-ball that United have used against Liverpool a lot recently in these games (Ibra vs Matip & Clyne, Ibra & Fellaini vs TAA & Lovren and finally Lukaku vs Matip & Gomez) I don't think will work as well as it did, especially last year when that ball was on a lot. I know Gomez is not the best at defending back posts headers so ye may try target him (or TAA if he plays) again but VVD will be there to back him up and will not get as much joy at all.
Possibly United will try attack space in behind channels with pace in Martial & Sanchez but Sanchez is not a lad to run into space. He is coming deep for United and turning on the ball and passing it (losing it a lot) but he is not playing on shoulders of defenders whereas Martial can, and possibly Lingard too. Maybe try attack through the middle with Sanchez trying to get joy out of Henderson's lesser ability to be mobile.
On the other hand, we all know Liverpool love to win the ball up high and play havoc too, but I think we are getting better against teams that sit deep against them too. We are gaining more weapons in our arsenal.
Also, whether United play 2 or 3 in midfield, I think Ox will play in order to target Pogba. Mainly this is because he comes into midfield from the right hand side with driving runs. Think he would love to run into the space left by Pogba as he is not disciplined enough. Salah will be on that side too, also making use of that space. There are arguments for each of Milner, Can, Hendo & Ox to start this one but maybe We could start with Milner, Can, Hendo for the first 60. I know it doesn't sound very enticing but having Ox to come onto the pitch to play that role mentioned against a tiring midfield could be a good option. They have only Carrick, Matic, Pogba, McTominay available. Not much legs there
Hopefully Fun Bobby can get around Matic - think that will be a key battle also, probably the main one I think.
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