It seems like an eternity ago, but the visit to Old Trafford in the league last year was one of the most gutless performances I have seen. It was just a complete abomination of any sort of plan. Of course, Klopp wasn't in charge then and the approach will be very different this time. I both look forward to and dread this fixture at the same time. It just seems to have a very dark ring to it, and the games are often very cagey and cautious. The fear factor seems to go off the charts because you don't want to lose to them. But Klopp's record in big matches is really impressive so I'm confident the team will turn up ready to fight.
They've won 9 games in a row, which in isolation is impressive. However, the only decent team they've beaten in that stretch is Spurs at home. That was before Spurs turned in to world beaters again, and they also had 60% possession but couldn't do anything with it. We did not play well at Southampton and it's not even the fact that Mane isn't here. We just didn't particularly do anything well. It could just be a one-off but it didn't seem to click at all. The defence looked rugged and we were badly missing creativity. However, the last thing that United probably needed is for Coutinho and Henderson to come back in to our first 11. Those 2 are in the top 4 best players for us this season, the other 2 being Mane and Lallana. So, that is a massive boost for us. Because without those 2 the results have been kind of patchy. Henderson in the middle of the park is absolutely crucial for us and I'm much more confident if both him and Coutinho start.
Hendo, Gini and Lallana back in the middle. Coutinho, Firmino and Sturridge up front for me. Sturridge, although he was very poor on Wednesday, still represents the best chance to score for us. Whether he starts or not I don't know. If Matip can't go then it's a big game for Klavan. He's blown very hot and cold, and it's strange because any mistake he makes at the back seems to get punished (Burnley, Bournemouth, Southampton). Big game needed from him.
The thing is that we are a better team than them. Now is the perfect stage to show it and if we could somehow win here it would be a massive statement. It isn't a ground we particularly do well at and if we didn't get the 3 points and Chelsea dropped more points at Leicester we'd further kick ourselves. We need to lay it all on the line here, and I'm sure Klopp would have lit a fire under their arses after Southampton. If we play to our maximum abilities we can definitely win the game. If we make stupid mistakes we will get punished. It's the same as every game really, we're the better team but we need to prove it. Just need to stay 100% concentrated and control the game in the midfield. A few chances will surely come our way and we need to be lethal.
