‘Man Utd players will be relieved to lose 2-0!’ - Michael Owen sees Red Devils aiming to avoid ‘embarrassment’ in Premier League trip to Liverpool

The Red Devils are taking in another inconsistent season, with Erik ten Hag seeing his side slip to sixth in the Premier League table and out of Europe entirely following a hugely disappointing Champions League campaign. Things are not about to get any easier, with a trip to Anfield next on the agenda, and Owen believes United will head to Merseyside looking to avoid “embarrassment”.

The former Liverpool and United striker was speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Premier League Betting, and said of a heavyweight encounter: “I'd say Man United will be a little bit nervous about going to Anfield considering their recent form. Anfield can be a stadium where you can take a real beating, and Man United have felt that in the past! Instead of going there with fear and defending the entire game, they should look at how Spurs played against Man City. They had a real plan and arrived at the Etihad with no fear. They could have easily lost 6-1, but that's the only way you improve! Once you have a blueprint, then you can amend it from there. My concern with Manchester United is that they'll go to Anfield and lose 2-0, then a few players will be relieved that it wasn't a 5-0 embarrassment! If I were them, I would pick a way of playing, stick to it, and then hope to get better. I'd say 2-0 to Liverpool. It'll be a reasonably comfortable win. Look at how the two teams are playing at the moment!”

United have won just one of their last five games in all competitions, with back-to-back defeats suffered against Bournemouth and Bayern Munich in domestic and continental action without scoring a goal. Pressure is now mounting on Ten Hag, with speculation surfacing regarding potential successors at Old Trafford.

Liverpool, in contrast, have suffered just two defeats in all competitions this season. Jurgen Klopp’s side are riding high at the top of the Premier League table as a result, while also making their way into the last 16 of the Europa League and quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.