Manchester United return to action after the international break with a mouthwatering trip to Anfield, hoping to win back-to-back games in the Premier League for the first time under Ruben Amorim.
United’s poor start to the season has left the Portuguese head coach under huge pressure at Old Trafford and he will be well aware of the damage a heavy defeat against Liverpool could do.
However, a positive result could finally prove to be the springboard for United to get going under Amorim and they can draw hope from their solid showing in the same fixture last year.
The 2-2 draw on Merseyside remains one of United’s best performance’s since Amorim’s arrival, with Lisandro Martinez and Amad Diallo on the scoresheet in a game they were unfortunate not to win.
With the heavyweight clash drawing ever closer, as reported by the Manchester Evening News, the FA have announced who will be taking charge of the game. The choice of officials may leave United fans fearing the worst.
Michael Oliver the man in the middle
Experienced referee Michael Oliver has been charged with keeping the peace at Anfield for what is the still the biggest game in the Premier League calendar.
Stuart Burt and Tim Wood will run the line as his assistants with Craig Pawson chosen as fourth official. Darren England and James Bell are on VAR duty down at Stockley Park HQ.
With Liverpool’s Premier League crown under threat after a rocky spell and United’s dire need for points and a performance, so much is at stake on Sunday even this early into the campaign.
Reasons to be fearful
United fans have good reason to be nervous with Oliver responsible for some highly dubious decisions against the club over recent years, including a baffling call in the 2023 clash between the two clubs.
Oliver infamously sent Diogo Dalot to the stands in the closing moments of the hard fought 0-0 draw for apparent double dissent after the award of a Liverpool throw in.
Whilst there was no audio reported of Dalot’s comments, the Portuguese international’s actions didn’t seem to warrant the punishment dished out, as United hung on for a well-earned point.
Furthermore, Oliver has awarded Liverpool a whopping 18 penalties during his career and with the Anfield crowd likely to be at him from the off on Sunday, United will be hoping he can stand strong under pressure from the stands.
Oliver does have a tendency to seek the limelight but United fans will be desperate for him to keep a low profile this weekend, in what promises to be a fiery clash between the arch rivals.
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Conner Botterill
Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for three years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology through the Open University. His favourite match attended was the Champions League victory in Paris under one the guidance of one of his idols, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.
