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Van Gaal: Manchester United’s clash with Reds is the biggest

By Tyrone McGarthland

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Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United’s clash with Liverpool is biggest in England

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has admitted that the Red Devils’ clash with Liverpool this weekend is the biggest in English football.

The 64 year-old was in a confident mood ahead of the sides big game on Sunday and even revealed that he can feel how much the game means to the fans all the way to the players at his disposal.

Overcoming Liverpool is one of the main targets at the beginning of the season and United have achieved the first part with a home win back in September. This was at Old Trafford, with the game remembered for being the debut of Anthony Martial – with the French superstar netting a great goal at the Stretford End.

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And that has kicked the 20 year-old on and he is now the most important players in Van Gaal’s side. Martial will again be looking to star on the weekend and Van Gaal will be hoping he does so in what he describes as the biggest game of the season.

United won at Anfield last season 2-1 in a great game which saw Juan Mata net twice. And the United boss believes the Red Devils will need to be the same as last season, with controlled aggression the key to victory.

"Asked on whether its the biggest game in England, Van Gaal said as reported by manutd.com:“That is how the fans see it and I have felt it four times already. We have played against each other four times, also in the USA. You can see it also in the phases of the players. Last year for example Steven Gerrard came on and he was sent off within 30 seconds – that is not happening so much. We need to be aggressive but also under control and that is always difficult because the passion to play in these kinds of games is very high.“I know that it is an important match for the fans,” van Gaal continued. “I have seen the reaction when we beat them so I know that. Mike the chef has said it to me also, with his way of saying it. I think everybody is ready to play this game, but you have to do it at the right time and in a different schedule – I think we have to play at five past two on Sunday, which is new I think. We have to show it at that time in that 90 minutes, or 95 minutes, with the resistance of Liverpool.”"

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A win for either side on Sunday would give them huge confidence going into the remainder of the season. Especially with the Champions League race wide open, three points on Sunday would move both clubs closer to Spurs who are currently in fourth.

United were held to a 3-3 draw with Newcastle United on Tuesday night while Liverpool also drew with Arsenal 3-3 on Wednesday at Anfield. It was a crazy week of results but now both sides will look to finish a busy period with a win. And Van Gaal will look to do so against Jurgen Klopp, a manager he is yet to face in England.

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They have squared off in Germany four times with both managers winning two of those. But now its in the Premier League and Van Gaal added that he has been impressed with the former Borussia Dortmund boss’ impact.

"“You can see his hand and I think that is important,” van Gaal added. “You can see a very aggressive and pressing way of playing the game. Of course, he has to learn the rhythm of the Premier League and I think he knows already the difference between the German league and the Premier League.“He is very capable to be a manager in the Premier League because he has shown always this kind of football and I think the fans shall love it.”"

Both sides have injuries which means that key clashes on either side of the pitch could decide the outcome – Wayne Rooney and Chris Smalling for United.

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