Saturday 10 March 2018 11:17, UK
In the latest Super 6 Class of ’92 Diary, Gary Neville discusses Manchester United's tactical approach against Liverpool and how Jose Mourinho will look to utilise Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez.
I think, to be fair, there should be a level of caution applied to the first 60 minutes of the game by Manchester United.
Anyone who opens up against Liverpool has the potential to be blown off the pitch in the first 30 minutes. They are absolutely outstanding when they have space and you simply cannot open yourself up to those counter-attacks.
What I'd like to see is a controlled approach in the first half and then a clear intent to win the game in the second half.
The idea that it could be like the last meeting at Anfield, I would not accept that. They can never be boring in big games at Old Trafford. That does not necessarily mean goals but being passionate, intense, physical and fighting to win the game.
I said after the last meeting it was not acceptable and it is about showing intent to win the game, which they can do more and more as the game goes on against Liverpool.
I actually think United were too attacking against Tottenham and Manchester City and I hope they don't go that way this weekend.
What Manchester United fans want is a victory and to see a game plan to win, unlike the 'do-not-lose' approach at Anfield. They will not accept it if the game passes by without that happening at some stage.
I think Jose Mourinho has to pick a team which plans around Paul Pogba. I don't think there's a chance we'll see Pogba and Nemanja Matic in central-midfield together alone. Liverpool would be rubbing their hands if that was the case.
Jurgen Klopp will want Pogba and Matic in there alone but I think Scott McTominay will be alongside them, which is a no-brainer for Jose.
What you have to do in the football is not give the opposition what they want, and giving Liverpool control of the midfield to pick those runs in behind, that's exactly what they'd want.
United have got to play it up to the attacking players early so they are not disposed in the deeper areas, especially in the early stages when Liverpool will be pressing high to win the ball.
Yes, he has been disappointing since he arrived, but the thing for me with Alexis Sanchez is that he's got to play more advanced.
Liverpool will want to see him in deeper areas rather than getting in-behind Trent Alexander-Arnold. The young lad did really well at Old Trafford but playing against Anthony Martial or Sanchez he will find the game more difficult if they are making runs in behind. I would if I was playing and so would any other defender, so he has to be tested, as will Andrew Robertson.
He has to receive balls in advanced areas and I'd like to see him close to Romelu Lukaku and even making runs in behind him.
Everton 2-1 Brighton
Huddersfield 1-1 Swansea
Newcastle 3-2 Southampton
West Brom 0-1 Leicester
West Ham 2-0 Burnley
QPR 1-1 Sunderland
It's also a huge game for Salford on Saturday against fourth-placed Blyth and I'll be racing across there after the United game.
It was an exhilarating late victory against Tamworth on Tuesday night but the game on Saturday is another huge test to show that we are back on track after a troubling run.
Scoring a winner in the 90th minute is huge in terms of getting momentum back. Tamworth had a penalty in the 88th minute and we go up the other end and score after they missed it.
We capitalised on those sort of moments at United and they not only give you a boost but really hurt the other team. Now we've got to put in the performance of the season against Blyth and hopefully I'll be celebrating two big wins on Saturday night.
