Club Friendly: Injury-Stricken Devils Meet the Reds Down South

Manchester United vs Liverpool

Another Premier League season will start in a fortnight, yet the Club Friendly action over the Atlantic continues to heat up as bitter rivals Manchester United and Liverpool test each other’s mettle in a showdown at Williams-Brice Stadium in South Carolina.

Supporters of both clubs will get the chance to see a classic English rivalry, albeit without the glitz and glamour—and the full manpower, for obvious reasons—of a competitive contest.

For United, this fixture will be the Red Devils’ final pre-season match stateside before heading into their first chance of silverware next week in the first Manchester Derby of the season.

Fitness issues in Carrington

Manchester United’s 2023/24 season was marred by injuries. A total of 21 players missed time, whilst the club recorded 45 cases of injuries—the most in any Premier League side. And when you have a bunch of your first-team options hobbled and hurt, it is difficult to gain any momentum to challenge for titles.

That’s why there was an uproar from United fans upon hearing the news that their £58 million man will now be sidelined for three months following a foot injury that he sustained in a defeat against Arsenal.

Aside from Leny Yoro, prized forward Rasmus Hojlund is also set to miss the opening matches of the season, as he too will be spending six months off after injuring his hamstring in the same game.

And just when United fans thought things couldn’t be worse, Marcus Rashford injured his ankle against Real Betis, whilst Antony was also forced off with an apparent hand injury.

Without four key players, the SBOTOP Club Friendly 2024 odds now shift in favour of the Merseyside club.

After the 3-2 win against the Spanish side, Erik Ten Hag spoke about the importance of not taking any added risk against Liverpool as United prepare to clash with Manchester City next week.

“We have to wait. Of course, we don’t go into risk, into the last game of the tour, going into the season next week already, into an important game,” he said.

So, I guess it would be safe to assume that Ten Hag would be opting to field second-stringers ahead of their Liverpool encounter, with a few select first-team players seeing action.

“Of course we have a plan for every individual where they have to show up and that plan is now running. Alejandro will already, tomorrow, start training,” he said.

The Dutch manager also stated that his Copa America-winning centre-half will be starting against the Reds.

“Licha will start on Monday,” he added.

Arne Slot’s Reds go for three in a row

Liverpool’s new gaffer continues to experiment with his squad ahead of their season opener against newly promoted Ipswich Town. In their win against Real Betis, Slot deployed a 4-2-2-2 formation, which they won thanks to Dominik Szboszlai’s goal. He then reverted back to a 4-3-3 vs Arsenal and came out as the 2-1 victors.

Still quite new to the team he inherited, Liverpool fans can take solace in the fact that Slot’s managerial style is one that pleases the eye.

Just like most Dutch managers—or any coach that considers the legendary Johann Cruyff as their inspiration—Slot utilises tactics that bear semblance to the famed ‘Total Football.’

If there’s anything notable to take away from their win against the Gunners, it’s the performance of 21-year-old Harvey Elliott.

Mohamed Salah scored a goal for Liverpool during their club friendly match against Arsenal — Mohamed Salah in action during their club friendly match against Arsenal

The midfielder provided two assists to Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho and bossed the number 10 role he was put in.

If Liverpool can take positive Club Friendly 2024 results over United and Sevilla, then it certainly bodes well for their upcoming season, barring anyone gets hurt.

History

Manchester United vs Liverpool is the Premier League’s fiercest and most historic rivalry, despite United’s downward trend since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013. Still, fans of both clubs would be lying to themselves if they told you that finding out when the two clubs will face each other is something they aren’t keen on doing whenever fixtures are released.

Out of their total 242 meetings, which dates back to 1894—when United were still named Newton Heath LYR—91 games were won by the red side of Manchester, whilst 81 wins ended up on the red part of Merseyside and 70 total ties.

They’re also the top two clubs in terms of most honours won by an English club, with Liverpool topping the list with 69 major trophies, whilst Manchester United only trail them by one with 68.

Even with injuries and key players missing, expect fireworks on display whenever these two historic clubs face each other.

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