Man United vs Liverpool: Erik ten Hag accompanies Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford for dinner ahead of key clash

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag’s future will have a decisive time on Sunday (Mar 17) as they take on Liverpool in the FA Cup quarterfinal at Old Trafford. Struggling in the league and already out of Europe, a defeat on Sunday could be a big spanner in the work for Ten Hag and his future. Ahead of the key clash United players and coaching staff took a unique team bonding meet when they were spotted in a Manchester hotel for dinner.

Man United vs Liverpool on Sunday

Ahead of the key fixture, captain Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford along with Erik ten Hag, Steve McClaren and Darren Fletcher were seen at the Ivy Asia restaurant in Manchester. A defeat on Sunday will see the Red Devils go empty-handed in the 2023-24 season as the FA Cup remains their sole hope of winning silverware. A good team bonding meet could be a perfect dose for United ahead of the weekend, but could also see them at an arm’s length in the Champions League place pursuit as they are not in Premier League action.

Sunday will be the 19th time United and Liverpool go head-to-head in the FA Cup with Ten Hag’s side winning 10 times. Liverpool’s record is relatively poor in the FA Cup rivalry between the two clubs and have won only four times in 18 matches. The two sides will meet for the second time this season having shared a goalless draw at Anfield in December in the Premier League.

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Man Utd’s Form

United’s form at the start of the year was good having won four consecutive fixtures in the league before losing deep in stoppage time against Fulham followed by a derby defeat to Manchester City. Those results coupled with wins for Tottenham in their key fixtures has seen United six points adrift of the fifth spot.

Interestingly, wins for Spurs and Aston Villa in their respective Premier League fixtures on the weekend could see United’s pursuit for a Champions League spot come to an end. At the time of writing, United are on 46 points from 28 matches while a win for Spurs against Fulham on Saturday will see them trail by nine points in the same number of matches. A win for Aston Villa away against West Ham will see United 11 points off the fourth spot.

After the FA Cup fixture on Sunday, United will face Brentford and Chelsea in the Premier League (both away) while they will again take on Liverpool on April 7 in the Premier League.

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