Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has been speaking ahead of the Premier League clash at home to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Matheus Cunha remains a doubt to face Liverpool this weekend - as Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick lavished praise on the outgoing Premier League champions.
The bitter North West rivals clash at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon with Liverpool aiming for the victory that would move them above United into third place and in a strong position to secure Champions League qualification.
Cunha missed United's narrow 2-1 win over Brentford on Monday evening with a hip injury, but has subsequently returned to training.
Luke Shaw limped off against the Londoners but is expected to be available, although centre-back Matthijs de Ligt remains on the sidelines alongside the suspended Lisandro Martinez.
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And Carrick said on Friday afternoon: "Matheus has done a little bit of work, we are not sure but hopeful.
"Matthijs is not involved but other than that we are in good shape."
United will seal a Champions League berth with victory and are aiming for a first league double over Liverpool in a decade.
They finished 42 points behind Arne Slot's side last season but have enjoyed a better campaign, albeit having been helped by having no European football and being knocked out of the two domestic cup competitions at the first hurdle. Sunday is their 37th game of the season while Liverpool will be playing their 54th.
"One of my favourite games, without doubt," said Carrick. "It’s a stand-out game, there are big games and big rivalries we have with other teams but this is right up there. The history, ups and downs, excitement, entertainment and emotion makes it a really special game.
"It shows the improvements of the group and getting stronger to be coming into this game in such a good position. We’re fully aware of the situation in the league and how close it is.
"It’s a one-off game, they’re a good team, they won the league (last) year. We’re treating it as a one-off game and the league position is what it is."
The latest clash is the 218th meeting between the two most successful clubs in English football. And Carrick said: "We get wound up with what's going on week to week but to sustain a level of performance for each football club... there is a way of doing it, what the standards look like, what it means, what are the behaviours and what we stand for as a football club.
"Two incredible football clubs who are so close in terms of titles, geographical. To have such an impact over such a period of time it is quite special and we all appreciate that."