Perhaps only by asking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to pick a worse time to face Liverpool would the Manchester United boss be faced with a tougher task than the one he has this weekend.
Man Utd go into Sunday’s match with one win from their past five Premier League games and having lost 1-0 to Newcastle just before the international break.
If the bookmakers are to be believed, Solskjaer is the second favourite behind Marco Silva to become the next Premier League manager to lose his job.
At Anfield, meanwhile, things could hardly be better for Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool have won all eight of their league games, and sit eight points clear of second-place Manchester City.
Will United be the ones to burst the bubble? Form would suggest not…
Premier League preview
Man Utd vs Liverpool
Premier League
Venue:Old Trafford
Kick-off time: 4.30pm, Sunday October 20
Team news and injuries
Manchester United’s injury concerns have deepened ahead of Liverpool, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed a further setback over the international break.
David de Gea sustained a groin strain in Spain’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Sweden on Tuesday.
He is out of Sunday’s crunch clash, with Sergio Romero set to deputise.
United will also be without Paul Pogba, who is still to recover from a foot injury, despite undergoing intense recuperation on a recent trip to Dubai.
The France international has only played twice since August and his absence has been a contributing factor to United’s alarming form, which has seen then drop to within two points of the relegation zone.
It is hoped Anthony Martial will be back after recovering from a thigh injury, but he will be assessed as Solskjaer’s full squad reconvenes after the internationals.
Both he and Aaron Wan-Bissaka may only be available for 30-45 minutes.
Doubts remain over Luke Shaw and Jesse Lingard in what is a game Solskjaer dare not lose.
Possible Man Utd XI (4-2-3-1): Romero; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Young; McTominay, Matic; Rashford, Mata, James; Martial
Jurgen Klopp is expected to restore both Joel Matip and Alisson Becker to his starting line-up when United aim to end Liverpool's flawless start to the season on Sunday.
Matip has missed the Reds' last two outings due to a knock, while Alisson has been sidelined since August with a calf injury, but both men have resumed full training this week to put themselves in contention to feature at Old Trafford.
Liverpool face a nervous wait on Mohamed Salah, who trained separately to his teammates on Tuesday as a result of the ankle injury he sustained against Leicester. There remains, however, plenty of optimism that he will be fit to start.
Elsewhere, Klopp must decide whether to go with James Milner in the centre of the park with captain Jordan Henderson having played twice for England during the international break.
Possible Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Head to Head record (H2H)
These sides have met on 54 occasions during the Premier League era, with just 12 of those matches ending in a draw.
Man Utd have 28 victories to their name – 16 of which have been at home – with Liverpool winning 14 (five of which were at Old Trafford).
Betting tips and odds
Match odds
- Man Utd at 9/2
- Draw at 3/1
- Liverpool at 4/6
Correct score
| Scoreline | Man Utd win | Liverpool win | Draw |
| 1-0 | 13/1 | 13/2 | 0-0 (11/1) |
| 2-0 | 25/1 | 13/2 | 1-1 (13/2) |
| 2-1 | 14/1 | 7/1 | 2-2 (13/1) |
| 3-0 | 70/1 | 11/1 |
Odds provided by Betfair. Click here to place a bet.
Prediction
Live stream details and TV channel information
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports' Premier League and Main Event channels, and is available via Now TV with a day pass on offer for £8.99.
Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via SkyGo and the SkyGo app.
You can also follow the match LIVE in Standard Sport's match blog.
