There is no doubt that Klopp’s move to Liverpool in 2015-16 rather than replacing Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford — as United had thought — changed the history of both clubs. I’m convinced that if Klopp had been United manager, they wouldn’t have gone five years without a trophy — and Liverpool wouldn’t have won it all, unless they somehow managed to get Pep Guardiola! Manchester United would not have gone five years without a trophy under Jurgen Klopp United would have been more difficult for Klopp to manage, but he would have overcome it United may have been a more difficult club for Klopp – the pressure is on for signings and you wonder how the executives would react if he told them he wanted Sadio Mane from Southampton instead of Paul Pogba in 2016. But I think Klopp would have overcome them all, even at Old Trafford. He is a strong mind, he knows how he wants to play and the players that suit it. He wouldn’t have been dictated to, but he would be the first to admit he had an advantage going to Liverpool, where Michael Edwards was already there as technical director and played a huge role in the recruitment. My gut feeling is that he would have brought United to his way of thinking rather than the other way around. He’s a perfect fit at Liverpool, but really great managers can take their skills to any club and make it work. It is because they are great leaders, have the charisma and ability to integrate into a city and its supporters, and of course have expertise in coaching and improving players. Having all these talents is rare and having lost Klopp, United have been unable to find anyone close. Klopp’s Liverpool side have a real identity even if two draws so far this season are subpar You know what you get from a Klopp team: dynamism, work ethic, risk-taking, never-say-die attitude, creativity. His Liverpool have a real identity even if two draws so far this season are subpar. At United, the Glazers are criticized but have given their managers more money to spend than Liverpool. For whatever reason, the managers, staff or recruitment department haven’t made enough good decisions and United still lack a solid identity when you watch them. They might press one week, play a low block the next… there is no consistency. See how players are improving under Klopp. Hull’s Andy Robertson, Newcastle’s Gini Wijnaldum after relegation. Jordan Henderson’s game has come on massively in recent years. The brilliant Joel Matip cost less than £5m – a fraction of what United have paid for four central midfielders: Maguire, Varane, Lindelof and Bay. Would United allow Klopp to work on Robertson rather than pay £50m for an established Premier League full-back? You’d like to think if they had given him the job, they would have supported him. Jadon Sancho is not the player he was at Borussia Dortmund after playing under four bosses The players are also responsible for how they perform, but I have no doubt that the culture created by a manager affects individuals. I am grateful that Gerard Houllier came at the right time for me in my career. Had he arrived a year later, I might have already left Liverpool without making an impact. Jadon Sancho is not the player we saw at Dortmund, but in one year he has had to suit four different managers: Solskjaer, Carrick, Rangnick and now Ten Haag. It’s no way for a player to develop properly. Marcus Rashford would have benefited from having the same high level of training every day, the man-manager who knows when to put an arm around the shoulder and when to give a kick up the rear. As a Liverpool fan I am delighted that my club made their move for Klopp early and sold him on the idea of club and city coming together. Liverpool’s gain was United’s loss. United fans know this and would take him – unfortunately for them, it’s never going to happen!
James Garner
Manchester United are not yet ready to play at Ajax under Erik ten Hag. As a long-term plan, it is commendable, but in the short-term with the players lacking confidence against Liverpool, he will have to do everything to try and get a result, pretty or not. It’s not even a case of United learning to walk before they can run – they need to crawl before they can walk. I think United have to be realistic as Michael Carrick got the equalizer at Chelsea last season. Carrick went to Stamford Bridge with a midfield three of McTominay, Fred and Nemanja Matic. Matic is gone, but instead of putting on a Bruno Fernandes or Christian Eriksen, I’d give James Garner his first United start. I watched Garner on loan at Nottingham Forest last season where he played as a midfielder and as a No8 and was comfortable in both roles. He is technically excellent and courageous enough to take on that deep role for United if needed. I’m not writing Bruno or Eriksen off for the season, but the way they played at Brentford, you can’t count on them against Liverpool. United’s interest in Real Madrid’s Casemiro underlines that they see midfield as a priority. It would be a big call for the ten hag to leave them both out, but he will know the priority is getting a result rather than worrying about reputation. Insert square pegs into square holes. You have three workers in midfield, wingers who know that position and a centre-forward who knows how to score. Liverpool will be dangerous after dropping points themselves this season, but if United are going to compete this will be my starting XI: De Gea: van-Bissaka, Maguire, Varane, Shaw. McTominay, Fred, Garner; Sancho, Ronaldo, Rashford James Garner deserves a start against Liverpool after superb loan spell at Nottingham Forest
Darwin Nunez
I was at Anfield for Darwin Nunez’s red card against Crystal Palace on Monday night. It’s obviously a big shame for him because I saw a lot of good things and high energy in his performance. I think he grabbed a few chances and when he couldn’t convert from Mo Salah in the second half, the frustration became too much. It’s hard to describe the emotion and passion you feel when debuting at home, and it can be hard to control. Most players have done something in their career that is so out of character, you look back on it and don’t recognize yourself. It was clear the adrenaline was pumping through Nunez to head Joachim Andersen, but while these mistakes can’t happen regularly, there’s nothing in Nunez’s past to suggest he’ll be a serial offender. I think it will be a one-off and the realization this weekend that he is missing one of the games of the season at Old Trafford should be enough to stop him from repeating it. Darwin Nunez was sent off in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Anfield on Monday.
