Manchester United are winless in their first two Premier League matches of the new 2022-23 season.
The Red Devils, led by new manager Erik ten Hag, started off the campaign with a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion before being on the wrong end of a four-nil thumping away to Brentford.
Currently bottom of the Premier League table on zero points with a minus-five goal difference, ten Hag would certainly not have chosen to host Liverpool during his third competitive fixture. Unfortunately for the Dutchman, he doesn’t get the choice.
Set to face-off against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, who aren’t at their best either, Monday night’s clash at Old Trafford is set to be a hugely important encounter and could define where both teams go from here.
Read more: (Video) Casemiro arrives at Old Trafford ahead of Liverpool clash
Attention will not just be on the game though. Fan protests are planned before kick-off.
Angry with the club’s owners, the Glazer family, large sections of match-going fans will take to the surrounding streets before the match to express their discontent. Similar frustration last season saw the same fixture called off due to fans breaking into the stadium and going on the pitch.
However, while we hope to see some footballing action tonight, the possibility of another postponement (or cancellation), cannot be ignored.
Nevertheless, in an attempt to bring the supporters and the squad’s players together, ten Hag has issued a rallying cry in his pre-match programme notes.
“We are in the very early days of the work we have to do here to deliver the success we all want for Manchester United,” the 52-year-old wrote, as quoted by Samuel Luckhurst.
“What we are trying to build – a winning team with an attractive, dynamic style of play – will take time to achieve.
“I was disappointed for our supporters at the Brighton and Brentford games because they have deserved much better than what they have seen.
“Everybody inside the dressing room knows that and we also know just how important tonight’s game is to the fans.”
United and Liverpool are scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m (UK time) with the game set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Let support our dream tonight