Gary Neville says Sunday’s Manchester United v Liverpool meeting at Old Trafford is hugely important for both managers as well as the clubs. With just four games remaining, the two rivals are both well placed for a top-five finish and Champions League football. United sit three points ahead of Liverpool, and the margins to sixth-placed Brighton are 11 points for United and eight for Liverpool, meaning a United victory would secure their place in next season’s Champions League.
Neville highlighted the match’s significance for Michael Carrick and Arne Slot. Carrick, who took over in January, has overseen nine wins from 13 matches to the end of the campaign, and Neville suggested on his podcast that Carrick is the leading candidate to be handed the United job permanently. Slot, despite a bumpy title defence that included ten defeats, has steadied Liverpool and moved them up to fourth; Sky Sports News understands he is also expected to remain head coach next season.
“Neither manager can afford an embarrassment on Sunday,” Neville said, arguing the result will carry weight beyond the three points. He stressed the fixture matters intensely for supporters given the rivalry, but also for the managers’ reputations and the message it would send about next season. A win for Slot at Old Trafford would be a major boost to his standing; a Carrick win would be equally significant for United’s caretaker manager.
Neville warned the contest could be cautious and tactically tight. He expects Carrick to set his side up more defensively than in some recent games, prioritising compactness and discipline to avoid mistakes. “I think he’ll get them a lot more switched on defensively,” Neville said, predicting United will look to make Liverpool nervous by restricting space and limiting openings. He added Liverpool will also be reluctant to be exposed, so the game could unfold like a chess match.
On team selection, Neville suggested Carrick might opt for a conventional four-man back line rather than a five, favouring defensive solidity over adventurous tactics. He sees both managers likely to instruct their players to remain compact and hard to break down, producing a tight, demanding afternoon.
Despite the stakes and the managerial narratives, 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 they’re going to be in the Champions League as well,” he said.
He reiterated the broader importance of the result: beyond qualification, the match is an opportunity to make a statement about each club’s direction and the managers’ futures. Victory at Old Trafford would be a significant endorsement for Slot; a win for Carrick would be a major mark in his favour ahead of any permanent appointment.
Match details: Sunday 3 May, kick-off 3:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports.