Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford today in a Premier League fixture that carries heavy implications for Champions League qualification and the fierce history of English football’s most storied rivalry. With just weeks remaining in the season, both sides are locked in a battle for a top-five finish — United currently sit third on 64 points from 35 matches, while Liverpool are fourth with 58 points from 35 matches, level on points with Aston Villa who have a game in hand. A win for Liverpool would significantly strengthen their hold on a Champions League place; United need two more points to guarantee their own spot.
The significance of the rivalry
This is not merely a contest between two clubs chasing European places. The fixture is described as the biggest rivalry in the Premier League, an age-old enmity that transcends league positions. Michael Carrick, Manchester United’s caretaker head coach, called it “one of my favourite games, without a doubt. It’s a standout game.” The weight of history is evident in the recent head-to-head record: in the last ten meetings across all competitions, Liverpool have four wins, Manchester United three, with five clean sheets for Liverpool to United’s one. Those encounters have averaged four goals per game. At Old Trafford specifically, the last five meetings have seen United win twice, draw once and lose twice, scoring eight goals but conceding 14. Every one of those matches has featured over 2.5 goals, and United have not kept a clean sheet at home against Liverpool in that stretch.
Beyond the raw statistics, the narrative of the season adds edge. Liverpool manager Arne Slot — the first Dutch manager to win the Premier League, taking the title in 2024-25 — has acknowledged his side are “not performing at the level he would expect now”. Yet he expressed confidence that Florian Wirtz “will turn up in bigger games”. Slot’s overall Premier League record stands at 42 wins, 16 draws and 14 losses; in 80 games in charge of Liverpool he has 50 wins, 11 draws and 19 losses. Carrick, who took over as Manchester United head coach in January, has overseen a sharp reversal of form: since his first Premier League match in charge, United have claimed 29 points, more than any other side in that period, winning nine of their 13 matches.
Team news and likely lineups
Both camps are dealing with significant absences. Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez serves the third match of a suspension, while Matthijs de Ligt continues to recover from a back problem. Luke Shaw was taken off in the last match but is hoped to be available. On the positive side, Matheus Cunha has returned to training after a hip flexor injury and is hopeful of being in the squad. Kobbie Mainoo has signed a new contract with the club. The reported starting XI for United is: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes; Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko.
Liverpool’s injury list is more extensive. Alexander Isak is out with what has been described as a major blow. Alisson Becker is not fit enough to start and is a doubt, having missed the last seven games. Mohamed Salah has been ruled out with a minor muscle problem, though he is expected back before the end of the season. Giorgi Mamardashvili is also absent through injury. Milos Kerkez is a doubt with a “niggle” that forced him out of training. Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Hugo Ekitike are unavailable. The probable starting XI for Liverpool is: Woodman; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Frimpong, Gakpo, Wirtz. Curtis Jones, who has been praised for his recent form, is deputising at right-back. On the bench, options include Kerkez, Gomez, Chiesa and Ngumoha.
Live updates from Old Trafford
Our reporters Ian Ladyman, Chris Wheeler and Lewis Steele are at the ground providing live coverage as the match unfolds. The reverse fixture earlier this season, played at Anfield on October 19, 2025, ended in a 2-1 victory for Manchester United. That result, combined with the tightness of the current table and the emotional weight of the rivalry, ensures that every pass, tackle and goal at Old Trafford today will be scrutinised with the intensity that only this fixture can produce.
