Man Utd vs Liverpool returns to Old Trafford on Sunday 3 May 2026 with stakes that stretch far beyond the rivalry. Michael Carrick’s third-placed Reds host Arne Slot’s fourth-placed Liverpool needing only a draw to all but seal a Champions League return, while the visitors arrive bruised, depleted and clawing for a top-four finish of their own.
What Man Utd vs Liverpool means in the table
Going into matchweek 36, United sit third on 61 points, with Liverpool fourth on 58. A Carrick win at Old Trafford lifts United to 64 and effectively ends Liverpool’s mathematical chase for third. More importantly for the hosts, two more points from their last four games guarantees Champions League football next season — a remarkable turnaround given where the club sat at the turn of the year.
For Liverpool, the picture is bleaker. Champions of England 12 months ago, Slot’s side were savaged by injuries through the spring and at one point lost three on the bounce in all competitions. Three straight Premier League wins against Fulham, Everton and Crystal Palace have steadied the ship, but even a fourth-placed finish — anything but a foregone conclusion two months ago — is still no certainty with games to spare.
Carrick acknowledged the unusual symmetry on Friday. “It’s a one-off game. They’ve got terrific players, they’re a good team and they won the league last year,” he told reporters at Carrington. “We obviously respect everything that goes into the game.”
Carrick’s selection puzzle
Manchester United’s caretaker-turned-permanent boss has built consecutive wins over Chelsea and Brentford on the back of a settled, disciplined core. Casemiro, who turned in another vintage display in the 2-1 victory over Brentford on Monday, is expected to anchor midfield again, with Kobbie Mainoo — fresh off signing a new contract until 2031 — alongside him.
Carrick all but confirmed Matheus Cunha would return after the Brazilian’s hip flexor scare. “Matheus has done a little bit of work, so we’re hopeful,” he told reporters. Luke Shaw is expected to keep his run of starting every Premier League game intact, while Lisandro Martinez serves the third match of his suspension. Matthijs de Ligt remains absent with a back issue.
Source: Manchester United official website (manutd.com) — United have scored in every game of Carrick’s 13-match tenure.
Bryan Mbeumo, scorer at Anfield in October, returns to the side that gave him his most memorable Premier League night. Harry Maguire, who headed the winner that day and has been a constant menace from set pieces of late, is expected to start in the back four.
Liverpool’s injury crisis hands United an opening
The visitors’ team news is grim. Mohamed Salah — Liverpool’s tormentor of United for the past decade — sustained a “minor muscle injury” against Crystal Palace and will not feature on Sunday. First-choice goalkeeper Alisson is a doubt; back-up Giorgi Mamardashvili is definitively out after his knock in the Merseyside derby, leaving Freddie Woodman in line for another start.
Add to that the longer-term absences of Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Alexander Isak, plus a question mark over left-back Milos Kerkez, and Slot’s selection options narrow alarmingly. The Dutchman is expected to lean on Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai to carry the attacking load, with the goalscoring burden likely to fall on Gakpo in Salah’s continued absence.
Source: Manchester United official website (manutd.com) — Mainoo’s new deal was announced this week.
Form guide and the Anfield memory
United have scored in every game of Carrick’s reign — a 13-match streak both managers will have noted. Liverpool’s three-game winning run has come without conceding more than once in any of those fixtures, but they have yet to face anyone of United’s current attacking shape.
The last meeting at Anfield in October still rings loud. Mbeumo opened in the second minute, Cody Gakpo levelled in the 78th, and Maguire restored United’s lead three minutes later, sending the away end into delirium. United left Merseyside with three points and a story their supporters had been waiting years to tell. A repeat at Old Trafford would all but settle the Reds’ European future. For more recent EPL context, see our EPL weekend recap from 27 April and the matchday 33 round-up.
How to watch Man Utd vs Liverpool in Singapore
Kick-off at Old Trafford is 15:30 BST on Sunday 3 May 2026, which converts to 22:30 SGT — a workable Sunday-evening slot for Singapore viewers. The match is live on mola.tv, the official Premier League broadcaster in Singapore, with build-up from around 22:00 SGT.
A draw would suit United just as well as a win for Champions League purposes, but a side that has scored in every Carrick game is unlikely to set up for a stalemate. Expect United to back themselves, expect Liverpool to throw everything at the race for fourth, and expect a Sunday evening that lives up to its billing. Catch up on more from our Sports section for full coverage.
