Will Sunday be red hot or a blue bonanza?
WHAT is widely regarded as the fiercest rivalry in football resumes on Sunday when Manchester United take on Liverpool in an English Premier League encounter.
The roar will be deafening when the match gets under way at 4pm (6pm SA time) at Old Trafford. However, so too will be the noise emanating from pubs around the world with both clubs enjoying immense support in the local Indian community.
Two of POST’s sports columnists, Renelle Naidoo and Dhirshan Gobind, are diehard supporters of Manchester United and Liverpool, respectively.
Naidoo said: “Had it been earlier in the season and if I were being completely honest, I would have had to say that I expected a United loss or draw. Gladly, Jose Mourinho has the team clicking, confident and peaking at the right time. I believe United will convincingly defeat Liverpool.
“Liverpool are showing some cracks, which I must confess is disappointing (from a neutral’s perspective) because they started off showing promise and I had them right up there as potential League winners, bearing in mind zero European commitments.
“I think Mourinho has a psychological advantage over Jurgen Klopp and that combined with the trip to the legendary Theatre of Dreams might also be an intimidating factor for Klopp’s charges. Much will be and can be expected from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Henrik Mkhitaryan and I’ve no doubt they will deliver. The Red Devils to convincingly defeat their arch rivals and edge even closer to the top of the table is my prediction!”
Gobind also thinks the pendulum has swung Manchester’s way but believes his team will do enough to snatch a 2-1 victory..
He said: “The Red Devils’ record against their arch enemies reads: won 87, drawn 63, lost 75. Given the recent resurgence by United this is going to be a humdinger. I’m going to go with Liverpool to win by a solitary goal.
“Mourinho’s charges are on a serious roll of late having won eight matches on the trot with talisman Ibrahimovic looking sharp.
“Liverpool have a much better goal difference and a vital five extra points than United, but this is only because of the latter’s poor start to the campaign.
“Paul Pogba is growing into his roving role and could dictate terms. The Old Trafford factor cannot be dismissed either. While the head might be in doubt, I’m going to trust the heart when it comes to this fixture. At worst it will be a draw.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United supporter Puven Akkiah is one of the few lucky South Africans who will be watching the match live.
Akkiah, who works for the eThekwini Municipality as an Integrated Development Planning manager, won the trip after entering the Lotusfm Super Fan competition. It was second time lucky for Akkiah who attended the Manchester/ Bournemouth match in May last year after his daughter won a prize from the Manchester United Supporters’ Club.
This time he will be taking his wife, Sharon, with him.
Akkiah leaves on Friday for the four-day trip.
“I am looking forward to experiencing the rivalry first hand. We will be sitting in the Stretford End of the ground which is where the hardcore United supporters sit.
“I predict a 2-0 win for United and would love to see Pogba get on the scoreboard. I am also expecting an awesome game from (Michael) Carrick. He is currently enjoying the form of his life.”
Needless to say, Liverpool Fan Club member Dashnie Govender believes otherwise.
“It’s going to be 2-1 for Liverpool. The likes of Zlatan or Pogba will get the better of Liverpool’s weakened defence. Mane will be sorely missed in the attack. However, with the expectation of (Philippe) Coutinho starting on Sunday, we can expect Liverpool to go on attack from the first whistle.
“(Roberto) Firmino and (Daniel) Sturridge should also bring their ‘A’ game to the party to secure the win for Liverpool,” said Govender.
She said the supporters club would be watching the match at the Britannia Hotel in Umgeni Road. “Supporters must get there early as we expect a full house on Sunday.”
Dhilosen Pillay, an avid Manchester United supporter and owner of Hotel Savera in Kharwastan, said he would have a big screen outdoors and such matches always drew a huge crowd.