Man United round-up: daily Old Trafford digest... Liverpool, protest, Antony, Casemiro
All the latest from Old Trafford, including transfers, pre-match build-up to Liverpool and the fan protest.
Manchester United, where to start? Liverpool are in town today. Just what they need, some might say. A win over their great rivals would cover the cracks for a few days at least, but can Erik ten Hag’s really beat Jurgen Klopp’s men at Old Trafford?
United are 19th in the Premier League after the weekend’s action. A nightmare start to their league campaign and a less than successful transfer window leaves United supporters more downbeat than ever. Casemiro has been brought in from Real Madrid but he won’t answer all their problems. The 30-year-old will not arrive in time to face Liverpool due to his current visa status but could make his debut for the club against Southampton on Saturday.
Related: Luis Diaz impressing, but Ballon d’Or talk...?
Ten Hag on Man Utd vs Liverpool
Ahead of tonight’s clash, Ten Hag discussed the clash against Liverpool: “You started to play football to have the experience of a game like this. So, we are really excited and we’re really looking forward to this game. I think in any game you have to show that (fighting spirit): it’s a way of life. But especially against Liverpool, it has to be one bracket extra.”
Ten Hag on finding the right players
“It starts with the basic stuff,” Ten Hag told club media when asked what he looks for in a new signing. “[You have to be] reliable, have drive, have the motivation – [be] highly motivated. You [should] want to fight and you [should] bring it every day on the training pitch. You want to strengthen the squad. You are [part of] a unified club, a unified team and, most of, all you are prepared to win.”
Antony
United had a bid worth a reported €80m rejected by Ajax for Brazil international Antony. It is still possible that a new offer will be submitted for the exciting forward, who was left out of Ajax’s squad against Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday, before the end of the window.
United protest
United’s home fixture against Liverpool in the 2020-21 season was postponed after fans invaded the pitch. The build-up to tonight’s match has been dominated by the news that United supporters are planning a protest against the club’s far-from-popular owners.
Klopp on protest
“I really hope it will not happen but if it does happen, I think we should get the points,” Klopp told reporters before the game. “We have nothing to do with the situation and if the supporters want the game not happening, then we cannot just rearrange the game again and fit it in somewhere in an incredibly busy season.”