Manchester United’s clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford on Super Sunday is hugely significant for opposing managers Michael Carrick and Arne Slot, according to Gary Neville.
Both sides look set for a top-five finish this season and Champions League qualification. United sit three points clear of Liverpool, while the gap to sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion stands at 11 and eight points respectively with just four games left. United would guarantee their place with a win over Liverpool at the Theatre of Dreams.
Since taking charge in January, Carrick has overseen nine wins in 13 games to the end of the campaign, and Neville suggested on his podcast that “he is more than likely to be” Manchester United’s permanent manager next season. Slot, despite an underwhelming title defence that included 10 defeats, has guided Liverpool up to fourth and is now expected to continue as Liverpool head coach next season, Sky Sports News understands.
Neville believes neither manager can afford an embarrassment on Sunday. “I don’t think either of them can afford an embarrassment on Sunday. A win for either would be very big,” he said. “This is a massive game for the fans, first and foremost. Manchester United and Liverpool, great rivalry. But I think this is massive for both managers. I think this is massive for Michael Carrick and big for Arne Slot.”
He added that while both teams are likely to make the Champions League, the fixture matters more for the managers’ standing and as a statement about next season. “Question marks of whether both are going to be at their clubs at the start of next season – is Michael going to get the job? Is Arne Slot going to be kept on? Those questions keep sort of appearing for the Liverpool manager.”
Neville warned that the game could be a cautious, tactical battle. He expects Carrick to set United up more compact and defensively focused than in recent matches. “I think he’ll definitely get them a lot more switched on defensively and say you’ve got to be a lot more compact and tight. And it will be a case of not making mistakes, not giving goals away. Let’s go and make Liverpool nervous. And Liverpool likewise will not want to basically be opened up, so it could be more of a game of chess on Sunday.”
On team selection, Neville suggested a cautious United might line up in a conventional four rather than five at the back, and that Carrick may prioritise defensive solidity and avoid risky tactics. He predicted a tight, challenging contest where both managers instruct their teams to be defensively compact and solid.
Neville is confident both clubs will reach the Champions League. “Honestly, I think Liverpool and Manchester United are in there… United are in there, for me. Liverpool, I’m 95 to 99 per cent certain that they’re going to be in the Champions League as well.”
But he stressed the match’s wider significance. “It’s just a case of, is it a message towards next season, is it a message towards where each club is at? So, if Arne Slot were to come here and win, it would be big for him, it would be very big for him. If Michael Carrick was to go and beat Arne Slot and see Liverpool off here, it would be massive.”
Match details: Sunday 3rd May, kick-off 3:30pm, Sky Sports.