As Manchester United gear up to lock horns with Liverpool this Sunday, Old Trafford legends Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes have voiced their fears about the match.
The Red Devils are coming off a disappointing 1-0 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, which not only knocked them out of the tournament but also saw them miss out on Europa League football.
This latest setback marks Man United’s 12th loss out of 24 games this season, a statistic that does little to inspire confidence among fans as they prepare for the weekend visit to Anfield.
United’s track record at Liverpool’s home ground is also less than stellar, having not secured a victory there since 2016. The odds don’t seem to favor an end to this dry spell in four days’ time.
Throw in Liverpool’s incredible Anfield record — perfect in the league this season, and with just one defeat in 48 games when looking back further — and the outcome almost appears to be a foregone conclusion.
And while Jürgen Klopp knows football doesn’t work quite like that, those of a Manchester United persuasion are certainly concerned.
In an interview with TNT Sports, Ferdinand urged Erik ten Hag’s squad to adopt an ‘aggressive and brave’ approach for the upcoming fixture. Recalling his own experiences playing against Liverpool at Anfield, he said:
“You take as minimal touches as you can, you try and play your way into the game slowly — but you’ve got to be aggressive and brave. You’ve got to have the courage to take the ball, be willing to fight and roll your sleeves up. That’s before any quality, any passing, shooting or skills. Go in there and understand the assignment.”
Scholes echoed Ferdinand’s sentiments but expressed particular concern about Manchester United’s lack of chances created upfront. He pointed out Rasmus Højlund’s lack of league goals despite scoring five times in the Champions League.
He also criticized wide players Antony and Alejandro Garnacho for their selfish style of play, noting that they often prioritize scoring their own goals over creating opportunities for others.
Without Marcus Rashford, who was in excellent form last season but has been struggling this year, Scholes wonders where the goals will come from. As things stand, United’s prospects for their trip to Liverpool appear daunting.
