MatchThe opposition lowdown: Manchester United
Get the lowdown on Manchester United before Liverpool's visit to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday.
Season so far
Sitting in third in the Premier League table, United are currently one spot and three points ahead of the Reds.
They have won nine of their 13 matches since Michael Carrick was appointed head coach until the end of the season in January.
Their most recent outing was on Monday night, when they defeated Brentford 2-1 at home.
Key players
Bruno Fernandes is one short of equalling the Premier League record for assists in a single season (20).
The United captain has also chipped in with eight goals and missed just three of their games in the term.
Benjamin Sesko is their leading scorer in the league and netted his 10th of the campaign against Brentford.
Casemiro, who has announced he will be leaving in the summer, was also on the scoresheet versus the Bees – his ninth of the term, eight of which have been headers.
The top-flight goal tallies of summer arrivals Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha currently stand at nine and eight respectively.
Previous meeting
United, then managed by Ruben Amorim, won the reverse fixture at Anfield 2-1 back in October.
Cody Gakpo equalised Mbeumo's early opener but the visitors left with the points after an 84th-minute winner from Harry Maguire.
Team news
Cunha missed the Brentford game and Luke Shaw came off in the second half, but United are hopeful both will be available.
Lisandro Martinez is suspended and Matthijs de Ligt remains out with a back injury.
What they said
Carrick, United caretaker head coach
"It's certainly one of my favourite games, without a doubt. It's a standout game. There's big games and big rivalries that we have with other teams and certainly this one is right up there. The history and the ups and downs that the past has produced in these types of games, the excitement, the entertainment and the emotion – which is a huge part of it – make it a really special game.
"I'm fully aware of the situation in the league and how close it is between us, but that's not something we're really focused on going into this game. I think it's a one-off game. They've got terrific players, they're a good team and they won the league last year. We obviously respect everything that goes into the game. We're treating it as that – as a one-off game. The league position is what it is but Sunday is a whole different ball game."
Stats
United have claimed more points than any other side (29) since Carrick's first Premier League match in charge.
They have won just three of their last 19 Premier League games against Liverpool, though are looking to complete the league double over them for the first time since 2015-16.
This is the first time United will be meeting Liverpool starting the day ahead of them in the table since March 2023, with the Reds running out 7-0 winners at Anfield that afternoon.
Fernandes has either scored (one) or assisted (two) in three of his last four Premier League appearances against Liverpool.