Manchester United head into Sunday’s Premier League encounter with bitter rivals Liverpool following what has been a probably season-defining week for Erik ten Hag’s facet, with the in-form outfit having loved success in all three cup competitions within the house of simply six days.
The latest conquer David Moyes’ West Ham United noticed the Purple Devils overcome a shaky begin to produce a shocking late finale on the Theatre of Desires, with a Nayef Aguerd personal objective drawing the hosts stage following Mentioned Benrahma’s opener, earlier than late strikes from each Alejandro Garnacho and fellow South American star, Fred clinched development into the quarter-final stage.
With a mouthwatering assembly at Anfield now on the horizon, United will now be trying to hold tempo with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis on the summit, with there nonetheless lingering hope that Ten Hag’s males could be in with a shout of clinching the title come Might.
One potential concern for the Outdated Trafford giants would be the doubts surrounding the health of defender Luke Shaw, with the England worldwide having sat out the win over the Hammers with what his supervisor described as a “small damage“.
Regardless of that potential blow, nevertheless, the 27-year-old’s positional rival Tyrell Malacia greater than staked his declare for a beginning berth on Merseyside following what was a “magnificent performance” on Wednesday night, within the phrases of Statman Dave.
Will Malacia play in opposition to Liverpool?
The £14.7m summer time arrival has largely needed to play second fiddle to teammate Shaw in latest months – having began simply ten league video games all season – though the 23-year-old showcased that he’s up for the battle in opposition to the Irons, having been a sometimes tenacious presence at left-back.
The £75k-per-week “pitbull” – as beforehand lauded by ex-United boss Louis van Gaal – notably gained eight of his 9 duels on the night time from his defensive berth, together with recording seven tackles, having additionally made 5 interceptions and contributed 4 clearances as a marker of his defensive prowess.
The 78-touch machine additionally accomplished 100% of his complete dribbles and dedicated only one foul, with the diminutive gem having often proven nice willpower to get forward of his man with the intention to win again possession cleanly.
There was undoubtedly some erratic moments in an attacking sense from the Dutchman – as he fired an errant cross excessive and large late on – though it’s onerous to disregard his contribution defensively, with the six-cap ace’s dedicated show seeing him earn a 7.7 match score, as per Sofascore.
Such doggedness will little doubt be wanted up in opposition to the likes of Mohamed Salah this weekend, albeit with Malacia having confirmed within the reverse fixture that he could be greater than a match for the Egyptian, as he ‘defended stoutly’ on what was an ‘encouraging full debut’ again in August, as per Manchester Night Information journalist, Samuel Luckhurst.
That efficiency – during which the previous Feyenoord man gained six duels – ought to present encouragement that the Rotterdam native can once more thrive this time round if he’s given the nod in opposition to Jurgen Klopp’s males, with Shaw’s damage having supplied the 5 foot 7 menace the prospect to nail down a daily position transferring ahead.
