PROPER write up, by the one and only Jackh - great job mate
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Manchester United vs Liverpool
15:30, Sunday 17th March
Old Trafford, Trafford
FA Cup Quarter Final
Referee: John Brooks
Liverpool make their first of two visits to Old Trafford within a matter of weeks this weekend, as Manchester United host an FA Cup Quarter Final match that brings together the nation’s greatest footballing rivals. Erik ten Hag’s side beat Nottingham Forest three weeks ago to progress to this stage of the competition, but lost their league games either side of that fixture (home to Fulham and away to Manchester City) before beating Everton last weekend. Jürgen Klopp’s side beat Southampton in the Fifth Round, prior to which they won the League Cup before league matches that saw them beat Nottingham Forest away from home and draw with Manchester City at Anfield – that latter fixture sandwiched between legs of a Europa League tie with Sparta Prague that was resolved 11-2 in Liverpool’s favour. Form and – frankly – quality should make the Reds favourites to claim victory over their famous rivals, but United’s schedule has been lighter and this fixture represents an opportunity both to keep their trophy hopes alive & to diminish the silverware aspirations of their visitors.
The sides last met in mid-December, playing out a goalless draw at Anfield, whilst their previous FA Cup meeting was a Fourth Round tie at Old Trafford three years ago – Mohamed Salah scored a goal in each half, but goals from Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, and Bruno Fernandes secured a 3-2 victory for the home side (they progressed through the following round with a victory over West Ham United before being knocked out at the Quarter Final stage). This weekend’s fixture is the fifteenth time the clubs have been drawn together in the competition, with twelve-time winners United getting the better of eight-time winners Liverpool on ten occasions – the 1990’s meetings offering particularly painful memories for supporters of the Reds.
Erik ten Hag’s side enjoyed a straightforward run to the Fifth Round, courtesy of away wins against Wigan Athletic and Newport County, but found their trip to Forest’s City Ground more challenging – the tie was settled by an 89th-minute Casemiro winner. Jürgen Klopp’s side fought hard away to emerging rivals Arsenal before two late goals secured a 2-0 victory, whilst his side’s youngsters have represented the club well in subsequent home victories against Championship sides Norwich City & Southampton.
There’s an air of change around both clubs at the moment, albeit with the prevailing moods around the clubs feeling very different. Manchester United have recently secured 25% investment from INEOS owner Jim Ratcliffe, who’s group will take control of football operations from long-term owners, the Glazers. United’s supporters enjoyed great success through the 1990s and ‘00’s, but have mainly languished around the Champions League qualification positions since Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2012. Erik ten Hag arrived amidst encouragement two years ago, but little has really changed in regard to the club’s realistic ambitions and his position – and the sustainability of the wider footballing operation as it has existed for many years now – looks increasingly untenable. The process of change is already well-underway for their Anfield rivals too, with Michael Edwards returning to the FSG Group fold – his position differs to the one he previously held at Liverpool, but offers some reassurance as the club embark on the final months of Jürgen Klopp’s time as manager.
Both Manchester United and Liverpool have struggled with relatively high numbers of injuries throughout this season, though both have seen this ease over recent weeks. Erik ten Hag will have observed Liverpool’s free-scoring habits over their matches against Sparta Prague over the last week or so, and may be tempted to use similarly stifling tactics as those observed at the City of Manchester Stadium recently – albeit to no avail, as their city rivals came from behind to win 3-1. Jurgen Klopp’s squad has been transformed by the performances of youngsters who’ve been involved due to necessity during recent months – Jarrell Quansah and Connor Bradley join Caoimhín Kelleher in looking like they’ve been in the first-team for years, whilst Bobby Clark, James McConnell, and Jayden Danns have also contributed positively recently. Liverpool have already won the League Cup and supporters still have hopes of seeing their side lift the FA Cup, Europa League, and Premier League trophies during the final days of Jürgen Klopp’s tenure – on the verge of an international break and with players returning from injury, a combination of senior stars and promising youngers will be trusted to overcome the next hurdle on Sunday.
