A fixture of this magnitude has the tendency to get both sets of supporters excited. As a result, the former defender is expecting the fans to play a big role in the game.
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The game of this weekend will happen at Old Trafford when Manchester United host old foes Liverpool in a FA Cup quarter-final. The Sunday evening contest will prove to be crucial for both sides due to various reasons. Liverpool are chasing an unprecedented quadruple this campaign and what better way to send off their manager Jurgen Klopp, who announced that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season. On the other hand, the FA Cup represents the only chance to win a trophy for United this term.
Manchester United are already out of the Champions League and suffered an early elimination in the Carabao Cup. Besides, they are far behind in the race to finish in the Premier League’s top four positions. Hence, the FA Cup could provide the chance to win United’s only trophy this campaign. Former United defender John O’Shea has had his say on the upcoming fixture and believes that Liverpool’s heavy workload could provide an opportunity for the Red Devils on Sunday.
“Look, it’s a big game, a really big game. Any time we’re playing Liverpool, it’s a huge game, but also, you know, it’s a proper chance to win a big trophy. I think the players will be confident, because look at the backing they’ll get from Old Trafford against Liverpool, but also being aware that, look, Liverpool have players that can hurt you. So it’s that balance, but also I think just the fact that it’s United’s big chance to win a trophy. Liverpool, obviously, are still fighting on a couple more fronts so they might have their eye off the ball a little bit maybe. Hopefully, United can take advantage,” O’Shea told MUTV recently.
A fixture of this magnitude has the tendency to get both sets of supporters excited. As a result, the former defender is expecting the fans to play a big role in the game at Old Trafford. “Yeah, I think obviously with the FA Cup, they’ll get a slightly bigger allocation, won’t they? So look you’d expect that and hopefully that just leads to a better atmosphere. And hopefully the United fans respond to that and I’m sure the players will respond too,” he explained.
Both teams will be heading into this contest on the back of missing several key players. United had to deal with multiple injuries across the pitch throughout this season and the situation has not improved ahead of this game. On the other hand, Liverpool have also been missing many players through injuries in recent weeks. “I think they’ve had seven or eight major injuries and, obviously, they’ve played a good few youngsters. But also look, Erik ten Hag can point to the fact that United have had major injuries to some very important players. So you get the balance of that,” he stated.
O’Shea added: “I think Liverpool were kind of impressive in terms of how they stuck to their youngsters and had the confidence to stick with them, whereas obviously United have a bigger squad in that sense, of some more senior players and older players. We’re still giving chances to a few younger players this season too, and obviously, in particular, Kobbie Mainoo. He’s been the main man and hopefully he will be the main man against Liverpool on the day as well.”
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