Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape EPL Game
It does not matter who is top of the Premier League at any given time, or which team is in the ascendancy in terms of form—Manchester United v Liverpool is always the biggest match of the season.
Sir Alex Ferguson once wrote about United's most famous rival, per Jonathan Liew of The Telegraph: “I could always feel their breath on my neck from 30 miles away.”
The two traditional superpowers of English football battle it out in the lunchtime kickoff on Sunday, with Brendan Rodgers' side looking to find a way to reignite their campaign after Champions League elimination.
United have themselves had a varied start to the year—but have delivered results when they looked more likely to drop points.
The Red Devils could find themselves just two points off second-placed Manchester City if they beat the Anfield club, and their sky-blue crosstown brothers fail at Leicester.
Here, we take a look at the issues and decisions that will shape the north-west derby:
Van Gaal to Employ Attacking 4-1-4-1
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Louis van Gaal attempted to lock the door against Southampton—reverting to the 5-3-2 he used so successfully at the World Cup with the Netherlands.
But the tactic nearly backfired with United not passing the ball in the same manner as they have in recent weeks.
The manager is likely to employ a more attacking 4-1-4-1, especially if Angel Di Maria is passed fit—allowing his forward players to interchange and play with more flair than we saw at St. Mary's on Monday.
Marouane Fellaini looked stifled in a midfield three, and he is much more effective if Michael Carrick is allowed to screen, in behind him.
Van Gaal must choose between either Ander Herrera or Juan Mata for the additional midfield position. Mata looked off the pace against the Saints—as did many others—but Herrera has earned a start and a route back into the first XI.
Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie are guaranteed starters, so LvG's main decision is whether to start Jonny Evans at centre-back, or force Carrick back into the defence once again.
Predicted Starting XI: 4-1-4-1
De Gea—Valencia, Evans, Rojo, Young—Carrick—Di Maria, Fellaini, Herrera, Rooney—Van Persie.
Which Steven Gerrard Will Turn Up?
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Luis Suarez has left for pastures new, and Steven Gerrard has been left holding the proverbial baby—in a makeshift Christmas manger.
Liverpool crashed out of Europe on Tuesday night, falling to the might of Swiss team Basel—leaving Gerrard to proclaim to the club's official website: "we have not been good enough."
And he is right. The Anfield giants have been treading water since the exit of their Uruguayan talisman, and Gerrard has been left to pick up the pieces of shattered glass.
But the game at Old Trafford offers Liverpool a chance of salvation, and a win against Manchester United is always the most sweetest of elixirs.
Gerrard has performed wonders in this fixture in the past and he understands the importance of local bragging rights.
United's best chance of stopping him is playing Angel Di Maria deep—and to get the Argentine running at him.
If Stevie G is forced onto the back foot, he becomes half the player. His aging legs would betray him if United play with pace from the midfield.
David De Gea's Wonderful Form to Continue?
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There was a large section of "experts" willing to bomb David de Gea out of the English game during his first season at Manchester United—but it is safe to say he has silenced his critics.
The Spanish goalkeeper has passed effortlessly into the world-class bracket in the past 12 months, often being the Red Devils' saviour in matches.
And that is his job—many people forget how Peter Schmeichel often saved the team when in dire situations. De Gea fulfils this function to perfection.
But when you are in such great form, one slip is enough to make you crash back to reality.
On Sunday, United will need their No. 1 to continue his fabulous run of performances and grab a clean sheet against Liverpool.
If the stopper achieves this, the three points will be going to the Old Trafford giants.
Wayne Rooney to Play Deeper and Wider
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Wayne Rooney will always be the most divisive of characters amongst Manchester United fans, but the club captain has been in good form this season.
But on Monday against Southampton, the England skipper looked subdued and lacked the influence he recently has displayed.
This could be due to playing through his recovery of a recent injury—but it appeared Louis van Gaal's 5-3-2 was more to blame.
Rooney is most effective as the striker but with Robin van Persie first-choice in this position, Wayne's best function is to get involved in the midfield.
He is not a great No. 10 but can give the team great value deeper, getting involved in the combat areas of the pitch and setting United on the front foot.
If LvG opts for the 4-1-4-1 he has used this season, Rooney could be the key to nullifying Liverpool in midfield, allowing Angel Di Maria to bomb forward to support RvP on the counter-attack.
Robin Van Persie About to Expode into Life?
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Much has been said about Manchester United's abject performance against Ronald Koeman's Southampton unit—but one player who was superb for the Red Devils was Robin van Persie.
RvP had his best game so far of the campaign as he scored twice and secured the win for United.
It was the Van Persie of two years ago: Always economical with the ball, glued to his left foot with precision—and in the right places of the pitch when it mattered.
We have not seen this incarnation of the Dutchman for some time with a mixture of varying form and tactical starting positions effecting his overall contribution.
But if Van Persie explodes into life over the Christmas period and Sunday—Brendan Rodgers will be fearful of a large defeat.
At his best, Van Persie is unstoppable and Liverpool certainly do not have the defence to halt his thirst for goals if he is fed correctly at the weekend.
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