Man Utd vs Liverpool: Carrick and Slot dey face big test, says Neville

Manchester United and Liverpool go dey clash for Old Trafford on Super Sunday, and Gary Neville don yarn say dis match be big test for both managers, Michael Carrick and Arne Slot. According to Neville, both teams dey on course for top-five finish and Champions League qualification, with United three points clear of Liverpool, and gap to Brighton dey 11 and 8 points respectively with four games left.

But even though Champions League place almost sure for both sides, Sunday match still get plenty importance for the two coaches. Since Carrick take over as head coach for United for January, e don oversee nine wins for 13 games. Neville talk say Carrick dey likely to become permanent manager for next season. For Liverpool side, despite poor title defence with 10 defeats, Slot don guide team to fourth place and Champions League spot dey near. Sky Sports News understand say Slot go continue as Liverpool head coach next season.

Neville yarn say, “This is a massive game for the fans, first and foremost. Manchester United and Liverpool, great rivalry. But I think this is massive for both managers. I think this is massive for Michael Carrick and big for Arne Slot. I don’t think either of them can afford an embarrassment on Sunday.” E add say win for either go give dem confidence, and the game go show how dem fit stand against big rival for next season.

For the game itself, Neville predict say e go be tight affair. E talk say if Matheus Cunna fit, Carrick go use Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, and Benjamin Sesko for attack. But e think United go play more cautious and defensively focused, no go make mistakes, and make Liverpool nervous. Liverpool too go want to avoid being opened up, so e fit be game of chess.

Neville also yarn say both teams dey set for top-five finish, and win for either manager this weekend fit be massive for next season. E talk say, “I think it would be a massive shock if dem miss Champions League. United dey in there for me. Liverpool, I’m 95 to 99 per cent certain say dem go dey Champions League too.” E add say the game fit be message for next season and show where each club dey.

Michael Carrick, for e own side, don yarn about Amad Diallo, who dey play well but no get assist or goal since December. Carrick say, “I actually think he’s playing well, Amad. I think numbers in terms of goals and assists, I think there’s an awful lot more in the game. He gives the team so much.” E also talk about the rivalry and say e remember when United do double over Liverpool for Anfield, and e dey the stands. E say, “Really good memories of it. It’s been a while since we did that. Hopefully we can produce another good result on Sunday.”

Carrick also yarn about Champions League qualification and say e no want over-celebrate. E say, “It’s a good step, it’s huge progress. But dem understand say we want to keep trying to achieve more than that.” For Mohamed Salah, wey no go play because of injury, Carrick show respect: “Full respect for what he’s achieved. It’s been tough for us at times to watch it, but a lot of respect for what he’s done for Liverpool and the league.”

Liverpool official preview don yarn say United dey third for Premier League, three points ahead of Reds. United don win nine of 13 matches since Carrick take over. Bruno Fernandes dey one short of equalling Premier League record for assists for single season (20), and e don score eight goals. Benjamin Sesko be top scorer with 10 league goals. Casemiro, wey go leave for summer, don score nine goals this term, eight with head. Summer arrivals Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha get nine and eight goals respectively. United win reverse fixture for Anfield 2-1 for October, with Harry Maguire scoring winner. Lisandro Martinez dey suspended, Matthijs de Ligt out with back injury, but Luke Shaw and Cunha dey hopeful to play.

Carrick yarn about the game: “It’s certainly one of my favourite games, without a doubt. It’s a standout game. The history and the ups and downs make it a really special game. I’m fully aware of the situation in the league, but that’s not something we’re really focused on. We’re treating it as a one-off game.”