Van Gaal keen to repay Manchester United fans
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Article summary
With his side trailing Liverpool 2-0, Louis van Gaal said Manchester United "owe the fans a big result" and is taking confidence from the way they overturned a deficit against Midtjylland.
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- This is the 196th competitive encounter between the clubs
- Liverpool lead 2-0 after dominating last week's round of 16 first leg
- United have not lost in ten European home matches (W8 D2)
- Liverpool are unbeaten in nine European games this season, drawing five
- Jesse Lingard available after serving a suspension in the first leg
Possible lineups
Manchester United: De Gea; Varela, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin; Martial, Herrera, Lingard; Rashford.
Out: Keane (groin), Rooney (knee), Shaw (ankle), Jones (ankle/foot), Valencia (foot)
Doubtful: Young (groin)
Misses next match if booked: Smalling, Depay, Fellaini
Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Henderson, Can, Milner; Coutinho, Sturridge, Firmino.
Out: Gomez (knee), Ings (knee), Lucas (thigh)
Doubtful: none
Misses next match if booked: Moreno, Lovren
- Klopp and Liverpool breathe it in at Old Trafford
- United's greatest European comebacks
- Nani and Van Persie on their time at United
Louis van Gaal, Manchester United manager
The chance is there to beat Liverpool. We have to believe in it and it starts with the players of course, and also with the fans. The fans have their input on the pitch. I have spoken only with the players about the victory and we have to believe in it. We owe the fans a big result.
Tomorrow we only have to think about beating Liverpool. We have to beat them 2-0, not 3-0, in 90 minutes. We have to do it 2-0, and then we have the chance in extra time. First it's 2-0 and you know we have scored goals within three or four minutes this season, so it is possible.
Our aim is to beat Liverpool and if we can do that with a two-goal difference without conceding, fantastic – then we have extra time and we have our home fans. We don't think about conceding, we think about scoring goals. We did it against Midtjylland.
Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool manager
This is the third time we've played United since I've been here and we have always been in the game. The world doesn't change overnight. It is absolutely clear there is a chance for Man United – 100% – but we know how to play them. I am not worried.
We came here today and want to train at Old Trafford – we wanted the whole package. When I have had teams in European tournaments, I have always enjoyed breathing the stadium air where you play the following night. I like to imagine what will happen.
It is loud when all the people hate you, but I can't understand what the crowd are singing so it's easy for me. Our performance will help decide how good the atmosphere is.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Liverpool: WWWDWD
Manchester United: DLLWWW
Reporter's view: Simon Hart (@UEFAcomSimonH)
Louis van Gaal needs a repeat of the result when he first sent out a United team to face Liverpool – and claimed a 3-0 success at Old Trafford in December 2014. There was scant evidence in last week's first leg that United have what it takes to overturn their 2-0 deficit and Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final draw with West Ham United was scarcely more encouraging, although they at least showed the spirit to fight back to earn a 1-1 draw and replay.
Liverpool had a free weekend so will have energy in their legs to attempt a repeat of the full-throttle pressing game they produced at Anfield. United have staged some famous European fightbacks before, but Klopp's men start as strong favourites.
Did you know?
United have won all of their UEFA home games against English sides; Liverpool have yet to win away against English opposition in a European fixture. Find out more in our extensive match background.