| Venue: Old Trafford, Trafford Date: Sunday, 17 March Kick-off: 15:30 GMT |
| Coverage: Updates on Radio 5 Live & Sounds; live text updates & highlights on Sport website & app |
Manchester United will have to be at their best for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final at home against Liverpool, says manager Erik ten Hag.
The FA Cup is United’s only remaining chance of winning any silverware this season.
They go into the game sixth in the Premier League as they aim to make a late push for a Champions League spot.
Asked if he trusts his players to save the season for him, Ten Hag said: “I think we have to save the season.”
He added: “We know we have to catch up in the Premier League but now we have an opportunity to win silverware.
“The only opportunity is the FA Cup, so we are only three wins away but big games and we have to play our best.
“Sunday is a test for us, but we like the test, we like the challenges and we can be, to a certain range, relaxed because we believe in ourselves. But on Sunday we have to prove [that].”
Ten Hag believes forward Rasmus Hojlund will be fit enough to feature against Liverpool, who are second in the Premier League.
Hojlund had scored eight goals in eight matches before a muscle injury ruled him out of United’s past four fixtures.
Defenders Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are also likely to return.
“Some games are bigger than others, I think Manchester United against Liverpool is always a big game. I am looking forward to it,” he said.
“In such games, we always achieve good performances. I don’t think in any really high-rated game that we had any lows. They are very consistent, we need our best to beat them.”
Salah is ‘pure quality’ – Klopp
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Mohamed Salah will be available for the fixture having recently recovered from a muscle injury.
The Egypt winger has scored more goals for Liverpool against United – a club record 12 in 13 appearances – than versus any other team.
“Mo is pure quality,” said Klopp. “Ask him what he likes most about Man United but the more we talk about it the less likely it will happen again. Exceptional guy, world-class player and how we dealt without him was unbelievable.”
Klopp added that Ibrahima Konate is a doubt while Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who have all not played since February, will not return until after the international break.
“I don’t know much about their season but I saw some really good games,” said Klopp. “They have some injury problems but a lot of quality. Maybe Hojlund is available again? Maybe Wan-Bissaka is close?
“That obviously makes a difference as well, we will see on Sunday. It was always a tough place to go for us, it means everything to both fan groups, we know that.”
