Ian Wright says he ‘fears’ for Manchester United ahead of their clash with Liverpool and believes Jurgen Klopp’s side could give their bitter rivals ‘a good hiding’ at Old Trafford.
Liverpool survived a second-half scare to overcome lowly Sheffield United at Anfield in midweek, ensuring they restored their two-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.
United, meanwhile, look to bounce back after coming out second best from Thursday night’s epic at Stamford Bridge, with Cole Palmer scoring twice in stoppage time to consign Erik ten Hag’s men to a 4-3 defeat.
The result left the Red Devils stranded in sixth, 11 points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa and 22 points behind league leaders Liverpool as they prepare to welcome the Merseyside giants to the Theatre of Dreams.
While United’s confidence will have been severely dented after winning just one of their last five matches in the English top flight, they will no doubt take encouragement from their thrilling victory over Liverpool to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.
However, ex-Arsenal and England striker Wright is ‘worried’ for an out-of-sorts United and feels Klopp’s rampant Liverpool team are in the perfect place to showcase their ‘ruthless’ streak.
‘I fear for United against Liverpool,’ Wright said on the Wrighty’s House podcast.
‘A team like Liverpool, going for what they’re going for now, the manager leaving, everything that’s in Liverpool’s armoury to go and make sure that they’re ready for a game… we’re not going to see that FA Cup business, with Man United and what they did in the FA Cup.
‘I just feel that Liverpool will be much more focused and they’re going to be even more ruthless.
‘We know that Manchester United can be ruthless.
‘[Alejandro] Garnacho being there alone is going to be a problem for anyone.
‘But I just feel at this stage of the season, Liverpool will know they’re coming and we’re going to put them in their place, whatever it takes.
‘I’m worried for United because, as much as they can score, I can see them getting another good hiding. I can see it.’
United have already suffered 12 defeats this season, six of them inflicted on home soil, and Wright no longer sees Old Trafford is a ‘fortress’.
‘I’ve seen them getting a hiding at Old Trafford, it’s not like it’s their fortress. I’ve seen them getting a hiding at Old Trafford!’ he added.
‘And some of the times I’ve seen not so many goals and they’ve still got a hiding.
‘If Liverpool come ready and they’ve got their heads in this, it could be a massive worry for them.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
