Who: Manchester United vs Liverpool
Content: Premier League
Location: Old Trafford, Manchester
Date and time: Sunday 3rd May, 3:30pm (14:30 GMT)
How to follow: Get everything ready on Al Jazeera Sports from 11:30 GMT ahead of the live text commentary stream.
Manchester United take on arch-rivals Liverpool in what could be a crucial match in the race for Champions League qualification.
Recommended stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
United have improved significantly under caretaker manager Michael Carrick, who took over following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.
They sit in third place, three points behind Liverpool, and need two more points to secure a top-five finish and a place in Europe’s elite next season.
Liverpool enter this match having won three consecutive Premier League games.
United manager Carrick enjoys ‘special’ rivalry with Liverpool
Carrick believes Manchester United vs. Liverpool will always be an “outstanding” match, despite neither club challenging for the Premier League title this season.
“It’s certainly one of my favorite games and an outstanding match,” said the United manager. “There are big games and big rivalries with other teams, but this team is certainly on top of it.
“The history, the ups and downs of the past, and the excitement and entertainment and emotion that this kind of game creates is a big part of this game. That’s what makes it really special.”
The former United midfielder said the club had made huge progress from last season, when they finished a dismal 15th place, 42 points behind champions Liverpool.
“I think this probably shows the group is actually improving and getting stronger,” he said.
“And to be able to come into this game in such a good position on the back of a good result, to be able to strive to achieve and move forward.
“So we’re very aware of the situation in the league and how close it is between us. But it doesn’t matter and we’ve been focused on going into this game. I think it’s a one-off game.”
Fernandes and the art of assisting evoke records
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is one assist away from reaching the season record of 20, shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Carrick believes Fernandes should win the league’s Player of the Year award for his performance this season.
“Hopefully he can (win it),” Carrick said after Monday’s 2-1 win against Brentford.
“He deserves this award because of the impact he has had and the moments he has created, whether it’s creation, scoring or other influences within the group. He had a great season.”
Salah expected to return before the end of the season after missing the match against United
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah will miss Sunday’s game due to a muscular injury, but manager Arne Slott confirmed on Friday that he is expected to return before the end of the season.
Salah was forced off with a hamstring concern in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last week, sparking fears it could end his season and career at Anfield, with the Egyptian set to leave at the end of the season.
Liverpool announced on Wednesday that the injury was not as serious as initially feared and that Salah should be back in action before the end of the season.
“As you can see from Mo (Salah), he always works incredibly hard, not only when he’s doing well, but also when he’s injured, to get back as soon as possible,” Slott told reporters.
“We expect him to be back towards the end of the season, but he won’t be back on Sunday (against Man United).
“In many ways, it’s a huge relief that his injury is minor and he can play for us and at the World Cup. If there’s any player who deserves a big send-off, it’s definitely Mo.”
“I’ve seen how good they are.”
Slott praised Carrick for helping United improve and stressed the importance of the game.
“We are aware of the fact that it is a very big game, not only to play against United, but also to qualify for the Champions League and get the highest possible place in the league standings,” Slott said.
“We’ve always known they’re really good, but now they’re showing it in the league. It might be a bit of an advantage for them to only play once a week.”
“Every time we played them we saw how good they were and now, especially under Michael Carrick, they have been able to produce more consistent results.”
direct confrontation
The two clubs have met 243 times, with Manchester United winning 92 and Liverpool winning 82, but 71 of those matches ended in draws.
Last 5 encounters:
October 19, 2025: Liverpool 1-2 Man United (Premier League) January 5, 2025: Liverpool 2-2 Man United (Premier League) September 1, 2024: Man United 0-3 Liverpool (Premier League) April 7, 2024: Man United 2-2 Liverpool (Premier League) March 17, 2024: Manchester United 4-3 Liverpool (FA Cup quarter-finals)
What happened in the last match between the two teams?
United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield in October, with Harry Maguire scoring the winning goal late on, handing the champions their fourth consecutive defeat.
Brian Mbeumo put United ahead two minutes later, and Cody Gakpo equalized in the 78th minute, but Maguire’s 84th-minute header sealed the club’s first win at Anfield since 2016.
united team news
Carrick said forward Matheus Cunha had returned to training after a recent injury setback and should be available, and he also said he expected Luke Shaw to be fully fit to play.
Matthijs de Ligt is still working his way back to full fitness and will not feature in the game against Liverpool.
Expected starting lineup:
Lamence (goalkeeper). Dalot, Maguire, Haven, Shaw. Casemiro, Mainu. Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha. Sesco
liverpool team news
Goalkeeper Alisson Becker is still out injured, but Slott said he is “very close” to being able to train with the team again.
Deputy keeper Giorgi Mamadashvili has also been sidelined for several weeks after sustaining a knee injury in the Merseyside derby against Everton in April, so third-choice stopper Freddie Woodman will continue in goal after impressing in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.
As well as Salah, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike are also absent due to injury, with the latter expected to miss the World Cup with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Left-back Milos Kerkes is doubtful due to a bruise.
Expected starting lineup:
Woodman (goalkeeper); Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson. Graven Birch, Mac Allister. Szoboszlei, Wirtz, Gakpo. Isaac
