Sunday 5th January, 4:30pm
Liverpool @ 3/10
Man Utd @ 8/1
Draw @ 5/1
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The beginning of a new year can often trigger a surge in optimism. As the fresh, unblemished calendar is pinned to the wall on January 1st, we look forward to the events and possibilities that will come to fill its empty squares and pages.
But this is manifestly not the case for Manchester United fans, for whom each glance at upcoming dates elicits a wince and a grunt; every imminent fixture suddenly comes laced with unprecedented stomach-knotting qualities.
The new regime’s infamous cutbacks appear to have gone beyond simply reducing staff numbers – there was also no anticipated ‘new manager bounce’ at Old Trafford following the recent dugout reshuffle. In fact, results have somehow got worse.
There is absolutely nothing united about this Manchester football club right now.
On-the-pitch confidence and cohesion have been deemed surplus to requirements too – best of luck in your future endeavours! The players are bamboozled – at times it seems like Ruben Amorim is trying to teach them the complexities of chess…when they haven’t quite got the hang of draughts.
There is absolutely nothing united about this Manchester football club right now. And having a captain who seems to enjoy getting sent-off provides no galvanising qualities.
Will the return of Bruno Fernandes mean anything at all to the squad this weekend? Is he really the kind of player who can inspire and instigate a surge in positive morale?
The possibility of transfer activity in January offers a slim glimmer of hope for beleaguered Red Devils’ fans – though players who possess the ability to resurrect moribund giants tend not to be available for free in the middle of a season; and it is difficult to build firm, robust foundations using dead wood.
The positives are currently so thin on the ground that the new boss has already begun preparing the troops for a relegation battle. Which is, I suppose, one way to manage expectations. Because they are limbo-ing into the New Year, with the only question being: just how low can they go?
It is very hard to visualise how they can win either of their next two games… First up is Liverpool vs Manchester United in a 4:30pm kick-off on Sunday.
The positives are currently so thin on the ground that the new boss has already begun preparing the troops for a relegation battle.
The contrast in managerial transition between Old Trafford and Anfield is stark. Liverpool have quickly acquired a calm, unshakeable belief that they will win every game they play; and, aided by Manchester City’s protracted stumble, are already strong favourites to lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.
This serene progress is occurring despite bubbling off-pitch tension regarding the contracts of more than one key player.
Perhaps these on-going negotiations (or lack of them) – involving Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold – will ultimately prove to be more engaging and eventful than Liverpool’s procession towards title glory?
Another potential issue this Sunday could be one of expectation. What scoreline will be deemed truly satisfying for Liverpool fans?
Just over 2 years ago they beat United 7-0 in the league, and that was against a Manchester side that was, comparatively, doing quite well. Will a victory of double-figures be the ultimate target this weekend?
One suspects that whatever the width of the winning margin, champagne corks will not be popped in celebration – Arne Slot has impressed with his cool, sober, touchline demeanour all season; and there is little evidence that he will be getting drunk on the back of what would just be another three points.
How long can Manchester United’s arid run really continue? They travel to The Emirates for a daunting FA Cup Clash next weekend – what they would currently give for any excuse to justify a premature end to their ‘Dry January’.
But, for now, the only celebrations they will likely experience will be the small chocolate treats that come in a red box…
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