Focus Fixture: Will Ten Hag come out on top against Slot?

Manchester United and Liverpool lock horns at Old Trafford with their two thrilling encounters at this ground last season firmly in the memory. 

The Form

Manchester United have shown signs of improvement from last season. The Red Devils wound up finishing eighth in the Premier League but the underlying data suggested they were fortunate to do as well. Erik Ten Hag’s side had the sixth-highest xGA in the league with 74.76. Their expected points tally had them finishing fifteenth.

INEOS have overhauled several departments in the summer and there has been a shift in style at United. The team are committing to a higher press and plugging the gaps that made them vulnerable last season. The introduction of new coaches and players has clearly had an impact but is it enough for them to topple a Liverpool side that are full of confidence?  

Arne Slot made his first signing in the window in the form of Federico Chiesa. Liverpool still need reinforcements if they are to challenge Manchester City and Arsenal on all fronts but there is cause for optimism after a couple of weeks of the season.

Liverpool coasted past Brentford at Anfield last weekend and seldom looked troubled. Ipswich did manage to cause the Reds some problems on the opening weekend of the campaign but Slot made the necessary adjustments at half-time and his team went on to dominate. 

The Runners and the Riders

Manchester United were hit by injury last season and they have suffered some setbacks in this campaign. New signing Leny Yoro is ruled out for a few months. Luke Shaw, Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount are all sidelined until after the international break. Tyrell Malacia is also injured but the Red Devils are better equipped to deal with absentees in this campaign.

Arne Slot could name an unchanged eleven from the team that beat Brentford. Curtis Jones is the only injury doubt for the visitors ahead of this clash. 

What They Said

Erik Ten Hag felt that defensive errors stopped his team from getting a result at Brighton. The Manchester United manager said, “It is disappointing, especially when over long parts in the game, you have control and we are controlling the game in possession and we are doing so well. We conceded two unnecessary goals, very avoidable. That is our feeling, we concede two soft goals where we should act better as a team.”

Arne Slot was the latest Dutchman to join the Premier League as a manager in the summer and he squares off against his compatriot here. The Liverpool boss says the two aren’t friends but there is mutual respect. He said, “It's a good and normal relationship as I have with others. The relationship I would call it very good, we all respect each other because of what we did at our former clubs.”

Selection 

Ryan Gravenberch has been a key member of the Liverpool squad this season despite having limited opportunities under Jurgen Klopp. The Dutch midfielder has operated as the team’s deepest-lying midfielder with the club unable to bring in a new player to fulfil that role. 

This has put Gravenberch at the heart of the Liverpool team and he has delivered. The Dutchman has made three tackles in each of his team’s league matches so far but it is the fouls market we are focusing on here. 

The midfielder made an average of just 0.8 fouls per 90 minutes last season but his new role under Arne Slot has seen his foul numbers soar. Gravenberch made five fouls in Liverpool’s opening game against Ipswich and somehow avoided a booking. Despite Liverpool dominating the game, Ryan also made two fouls against Brentford.

Wataru Endo played the number six role for Liverpool in all three of their matches against Manchester United last season. He made eight fouls across those games and this bet landed in all three.

Recommended Bet: Over 1.5 fouls for Ryan Gravenberch at 2.00

Bet Builder Tip

For our bet builder tip, we are backing Gravenberch to be carded along with picking up two fouls. He was carded in the win over Brentford last weekend and he looks set to be a busy man here.

The other betting angle is for both teams to score and over 2.5 goals in the match. These sides played out a bore draw at Anfield last season but the meetings at Old Trafford were far more thrilling. Manchester United scored a late goal in their first meeting at this ground in the FA Cup to make it 2-2. Erik Ten Hag’s side then went on to win 4-3 in extra time. The sides also drew 2-2 in the league meeting despite  Liverpool creating far more chances than their opponents. 

Manchester United lost 2-1 at Brighton last weekend. Ten Hag’s men created some quality chances but defensive errors proved costly. Liverpool will be able to take advantage of any mishaps here. 

The Red Devils’ league matches at Old Trafford last season saw an average of 3.11 goals per game, 1.63 for United and 1.47 for the opposition. They squandered several chances in their last home game against Fulham and the win should have been more emphatic than 1-0. 

Liverpool have failed to score in just one of their last 20 away games in the Premier League so a Manchester United clean sheet seems unlikely. 

Recommended Bet: Over 1.5 fouls for Ryan Gravenberch, Ryan Gravenberch to be carded & both teams to score/over 2.5 goals at 7.40