MY ACCOUNT
Manchester United have an opportunity to prove their Premier League title pedigree with victory in Sunday’s match at Liverpool, according to full-back Luke Shaw.
Erik ten Hag’s side trail Arsenal by 11 points ahead of the leaders’ match against Bournemouth on Saturday, with the Red Devils also holding a game in hand.
United are still in the hunt for three more trophies this season, having already won the EFL Cup last week, but they realistically cannot afford to drop any points at Anfield.
Having been talked up as outside title challengers, Shaw wants United to lay down a further marker with a first league win away at Liverpool since 2016.
“They’re always big, big games,” Shaw told Premier League Productions. “I think if we want to be challenging for the title, we need to be going there and winning these games.
“But, of course, on the other hand, we know it’s going to be an extremely tough game. It’s always a tough game against Liverpool. They’re an amazing side.”
Victory over Newcastle United at Wembley last weekend ended United’s six-year wait for silverware, with that their longest wait for a major trophy since 1983.
It has been an impressive first campaign in charge at Old Trafford for Ten Hag, and Shaw hopes it is the start of a trophy-laden period for the club.
“I think all of us can look at it as a fresh start,” said Shaw, who has played in 31 of United’s 41 games this term.
“It’s been a tough few years here at United and I think it can be a new beginning.
“It’s a new era, it’s time to create our own history with a new manager, with new players, new team. It’s a great start in the direction we want to go in.”
United beat Liverpool 2-1 in August’s reverse fixture and are seeking a Premier League double over their fierce rivals for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.
While United have lost just one of their 20 games since the World Cup break, Liverpool have won only six of their 15 matches over the same period.
Despite the contrasting form of the sides, and United’s 10-point advantage on Liverpool, Reds defender Virgil van Dijk is not feeling apprehensive.
“It is a bit of a game on its own,” he said. “It’s probably getting all the hype that comes with it and we are the ones who are not in good form and they are absolutely in form.
“But we know what we are capable of and we have to be at our best: players, the fans and the whole build-up towards it.
“Everyone has to feel responsible for getting a good result. It’s not easy, and sometimes you can get a little bit nervous, but we need everyone to be behind us no matter what.”
