Six Expert Verdicts: What to Expect When United Host Liverpool at Old Trafford

The fixture that never gets old is upon us. Manchester United and Liverpool lock horns at Old Trafford on Sunday, and it's shaping up as a cracking encounter with plenty on the line.

United currently occupy third place with 61 points from 34 matches, requiring just two more points from their final four games to guarantee a top-five finish. For Liverpool, victory would seal their Champions League qualification for next season. It's the sort of backdrop that gets the juices flowing.

The punditry brigade has been out in force with their predictions, and here's what the big names are saying.

Chris Sutton's View

The former Chelsea forward reckons we're in for a 2-2 stalemate. Sutton highlighted how United scraped past Brentford on Monday, while Liverpool earned a more convincing result against Crystal Palace to ease some of the pressure on Slot. He flagged Bruno Fernandes' exceptional season as a potential difference-maker, though he noted that Mohamed Salah appears unlikely to feature after picking up an injury against the Eagles. Sutton believes an individual performance could decide matters, but he's settling on a draw.

Alan Shearer's Assessment

The former Newcastle man isn't expecting a classic encounter. Shearer suggested that neither side is operating at the level we've come to expect from these two heavyweights, with both mentally and physically stretched at this stage of the campaign. He reckons a draw wouldn't disappoint either set of supporters given their circumstances.

Paul Merson's Take

Merson also plumps for 2-2, though he's made an interesting observation: this simply isn't the biggest match in English football anymore, despite remaining crucial for both teams. He pointed to Liverpool's remaining fixtures—Chelsea at home, Aston Villa away, and another trip to Brentford—as a testing run-in. United's recent performances haven't impressed him either, despite victories over Chelsea and Brentford. Merson expects goals and believes Liverpool can trouble their hosts.

He also touched on team selection, suggesting Matheus Cunha's return is essential for United given his stellar campaign, whilst questioning whether Arne Slot might opt for experience over youth with Rio Ngumoha on the bench. Merson added that while Bruno Fernandes has been terrific, Declan Rice deserves consideration for Player of the Year given the volume of football he's played across all competitions.

Jamie Carragher's Prediction

The former Liverpool defender sees this as a significant moment for both managers, with supporter confidence potentially swinging on the result. He's gone for Liverpool to edge it 2-1, though he admits he's hoping rather than truly believing. Carragher stressed that whilst league position and Champions League qualification might not hinge on this single game, a victory in a big derby carries real psychological weight going forward.

Harry Redknapp's Verdict

The ex-Tottenham boss is backing United for a 3-2 victory. Redknapp praised Michael Carrick's work despite a less-than-convincing display against Brentford, and acknowledged Liverpool's recent improvement even if he wouldn't describe them as unbeatable. He's concerned about defensive vulnerabilities in both camps, predicting an open affair with plenty of goals. Redknapp also highlighted Fernandes' pursuit of the Premier League assist record as a subplot to watch.

Darren Fletcher's Choice

The former United midfielder is sticking with his old side for a 2-1 win. Fletcher called it the finest fixture in English football and reckoned the attacking potential on show would lead to an entertaining spectacle, with both teams carrying defensive frailties that could be exploited.