Man United v Liverpool: 'Worst case scenario', says Ryan Giggs with clash helping rivals in title race
Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs says the Premier League title race is a ‘worst case scenario’ ahead of his old side’s big clash with Liverpool.
The two rivals meet at Old Trafford on Sunday, with United looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, while Jurgen Klopp’s Reds can return to the summit with Manchester City in Carabao Cup final action.
The Red Devils sacked Jose Mourinho after the reverse fixture in December, a 3-1 defeat at Anfield, and successor Solskjaer has won eight of nine league matches, with United climbing from sixth to fourth - Sky Bet now make them evens to finish in the Champions League qualification places.
But it's the title race which is still gripping Premier League fans and it contains two of United’s biggest rivals in Liverpool and City.
Giggs exclusively told Sporting Life: "The roles are reversed from over the last 20 years as it was often United going to Liverpool chasing the title, with Liverpool not really challenging to win it a lot of times – but the chance to scupper the chances of your biggest rivals.
"The problem for United is that you scupper Liverpool’s chances with a win but it helps City out so it’s a worst case scenario for them!
"But they won’t be thinking about that as it’s the biggest game for United fans so just beating Liverpool will be the aim."
These sides have played out goalless draws at least once in the previous two seasons, but Wales manager Giggs cannot see another.
He said: "Both teams’ attacking options are frightening and I think they will both have a go. The games over the last few years haven’t been great, there haven’t been too many goals or great football being played, but that should change.
"The traditions of both clubs is to go out and play attractive football and score more goals than the opposition and they’re both playing like it at the moment so it’s a game I’m really looking forward to."
A win would send Liverpool three points clear of City with the same number of games played, while Tottenham are still in the picture and will be boosted by the return of Harry Kane.
Pep Guardiola’s City remain odds-on favourites with Sky Bet, while Liverpool are 11/8 and Spurs 22/1.
Giggs feels the Citizens' experience and know-how, as well as strength in depth, could help them over the line to seal a second successive title.
"City have been there and done it the last few years whereas Liverpool, like United when I first won the title, haven’t won it for so long so the added pressure is on. But that can also work in your favour as there’s that added hunger, that extra desire because you’re desperate to do it.
"I think City’s tails are up at the moment but it can soon change. City injury-wise are a bit better off right now and injuries are the one thing that can kill you in a title race, you can have momentum but if you’re picking up knocks and players are missing eventually it will catch up with you.
"If you’re a team that more or less has you’re full squad gong out every week then you’re in a much better place."
- Check out Sporting Life later in the week to see our betting preview of Man United v Liverpool and a range of other fixtures in the Premier League and Sky Bet EFL, as well as the Carabao Cup final.
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