Man Utd vs Liverpool: Premier League team news and prediction

The game of the weekend in the Premier League, Manchester United host Liverpool and there is ample pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's shoulders coming into this tie. Both sides enjoyed midweek Champions League success, so at least approach this clash with the win in their sails. 

Ahead of this one, we provide all the pre-match information, including what time this game kicks off, where to watch the action, team news and probable XIs...  

When is kick off?                  

Sunday 24th October, 16:30 GMT                  

Where is the match?                  

Old Trafford, Manchester 

What TV channel is it on?                  

Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event 

The last meeting 

The last time these two teams faced off, the game was originally scheduled to take place on May 2nd. However, Manchester United fan protests against the Glazers saw the meeting postponed until May 13th after supporters managed to break into the stadium and onto the pitch. 

In the rescheduled encounter, it was Liverpool who ran out 4-2 winners. Bruno Fernandes put United ahead with just 10 minutes on the clock, but the Reds were ahead at the break through Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino. Firmino added his second and Liverpool's third shortly after the restart. Marcus Rashford then halved the deficit midway through the second half only for Mohamed Salah to wrap up victory in the 90th minute. 

Team news 

Bruno Fernandes has been included in the Manchester United squad, yet there are worries over his fitness ahead of the welcome of Liverpool and his absence would be a huge blow for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. Anthony Martial, Fred and Marcus Rashford will all be assessed, but Raphael Varane and Amad Diallo are sidelined. Paul Pogba is expected to start on the left with Nemanja Matic coming into the side to add steel to the midfield. 

There are no major changes to the Liverpool absentee list, with central midfielders Harvey Elliott and Tiago ruled out. Divock Origi and Curtis Jones will be assessed, though only the latter has a realistic chance of starting at Old Trafford. James Milner should get the nod to start alongside Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in the middle of the park, while Roberto Firmino is expected to lead the charge in place of Diogo Jota. 

Probable XIs 

Manchester United (4231) - De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Matic; Greenwood, Fernandes, Pogba; Ronaldo

Liverpool (433) - Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane

Key Battle: Cristiano Ronaldo vs Mohamed Salah

Historically, Cristiano Ronaldo has a poor record against Liverpool. He's scored just two goals in eight league appearances against the Reds, though both of those did come in his last two Premier League outings against Liverpool at Old Trafford. However, the return to United hasn't gone quite according to plan. Indeed, Ronaldo has failed to score in his last three league appearances and United have struggled to accomodate the 36-year-old, which has resulted in a downturn in form and heightened the pressure on head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Conversely, Mohamed Salah is one of the most in-form players in the game. The Egyptian comes into the game as the best rated player in the Premier League with a WhoScored rating of 8.21 having scored seven and registered four assists for Liverpool this season. Like Ronaldo, Salah doesn't have a great record against United, scoring twice in seven outings, but having failed to score in just one of 11 competitive outings for Liverpool, the 29-year-old will be confident of piling further misery upon this downtrodden United outfit.

Score Prediction: Manchester United 1-3 Liverpool