Liverpool host United at Anfield in a 4.30pm GMT kick-off on Sunday, looking to complete a Premier League double over the opposition, after the reverse fixture at Old Trafford finished 3-0 in the visitors’ favour.
Since Ruben Amorim promised a storm, Manchester United have lost six, won two, conceded 18 goals and scored nine. The gales will be at their harshest at Anfield.
It gets worse. United are winless at Anfield in nine games and nine years, their longest ever drought at the ground since they first played there in 1895.
There have been five defeats, four draws, 18 goals shipped and one scored. That was from an error by Alisson that gifted Jesse Lingard a tap-in six years ago.
Amorim played at Anfield in a Europa League knockout tie with Benfica in 2010. Benfica were 2-1 up from the first leg and Amorim buckled in the 18th minute, fouling Yossi Benayoun. Liverpool led nine minutes later and blew Benfica away 4-1.
“We know that it is going to be a tough moment, really different context from both teams," Amorim acknowledged on Friday. "They had that strong base for long years and they are a strong team. But we work this week to win the game, we will try to do that.”
Manchester United will have some additional firepower for its Anfield clash with Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte returning from suspension. But boss Ruben Amorim might still face a selection headache.
In his pre-match press conference, Amorim cast doubt on Marcus Rashford's participation, citing health concerns: "It's the same situation but, at the moment, he's ill," he said. "I think he's going to be out this week. He's not training so we will see."
Rashford's lack of game time is becoming more noticeable after being benched during Manchester United's disappointing 2-0 loss to Newcastle United last Monday. He has missed out entirely on the matchday squad in the four previous games amid swirling transfer talk.
With Rashford's chances to feature against Liverpool looking slim, United's injury woes are compounded as they will certainly miss the services of Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, and Victor Lindelof due to injuries.
The duo of Mount and Shaw have had their share of spells on the sidelines and only recently returned before suffering further injury blows last month.
In addition, Jonny Evans was noticeably absent from the squad that faced Newcastle, with starlet Godwill Kukonki taking a spot on the bench instead. The specific reasons for Evans' absence remain undisclosed, although he has been mentioned in the team news update on the United official website, suggesting he might come into contention for the Liverpool match.
