BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has dropped his clear-cut scoreline prediction for Manchester United’s forthcoming FA Cup clash against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s men reached the FA Cup final last season and came within touching distance of the trophy, only to suffer a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Wembley.
However, the Manchester United manager has reiterated his desire to see the Red Devils return to Wembley and fight for the FA Cup trophy again this season.
Erik ten Hag’s side defeated Wigan Athletic 2-0 away from home in the third round of the FA Cup in January before beating Newport County 4-2 in the fourth round.
United punched their ticket to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the fifth round at City Ground last month.
Liverpool, who lifted the Carabao Cup trophy last month, ensured their place in the quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over Southampton in the fifth round at Anfield.
Sutton on one key Liverpool player for Man Utd clash
Manchester United’s last real hope of capturing major silverware lies with their FA Cup campaign, with Liverpool also fighting for their second trophy this season.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is set to step down this summer and the Reds remain in the Premier League title race alongside Manchester City and Arsenal.
United, on the other hand, are sixth in the Premier League table and the Red Devils face a mammoth challenge of finishing inside the top four this season.
Speaking in his BBC Sport column, Chris Sutton believes that Liverpool have received a major boost with the likes of Mohamed Salah coming “back to full fitness.”
“A friend of mine told me he thought Manchester United would win this tie. I told him not to be so stupid,” he said.
“United have dug deep and got some good results against Liverpool in recent years – for example, they beat them 2-1 at Old Trafford at the start of last season, when I didn’t give them a chance that day either.
“I know United fans might be getting excited about their 0-0 draw at Anfield earlier this season too – with what felt like about 2% possession.
“But Liverpool are getting key players like Mohamed Salah back to full fitness and if they turn up and perform like they did in the second half against Manchester City last weekend, then they are going to win – no doubt about it.”
Sutton on Man Utd vs Liverpool scoreline prediction
Erik ten Hag has also received a big boost for the FA Cup quarter-final tie at Old Trafford, with Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund set to return from injury.
Rasmus Hojlund, who was in a rich vein of form before his injury, has been out of action for United since late February after he was sidelined.
Despite the potential return of Hojlund, Sutton has predicted United to crash out of the FA Cup in the quarter-finals after backing a 3-1 scoreline for Liverpool.
“There is some good news for United because their striker Rasmus Hojlund is going to be back from injury, and starting the game by all accounts,” he continued.
“That is massive for them and gives them a far greater chance of getting through, but if Liverpool are anywhere near their best they will still have too much for them.”
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