2 weeks ago
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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been warned that former Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo could pose his side some issues when Manchester United travels to Anfield this weekend.
Both teams are under pressure for different reasons, with Liverpool aiming to bounce back from the three successive defeats it suffered prior to the international break, while United is targeting back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time under Ruben Amorim.
United has not won at Anfield for nearly 10 years, and is a huge underdog going into Sunday's game, but it arrives at Anfield with three shiny new attackers in tow.
Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko were all signed for significant fees during the summer transfer window, and while they have not sparked a huge upturn in the team's form, they are an upgrade on the attacking options Amorim had at his disposal last season.
United still has major issues in other areas of the field, most notably in the center of midfield, where Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro will probably start on Sunday.
Fernandes is not best suited to a disciplined midfield role, while Casemiro has been declining for several years.
Some critics argue that United should have prioritised signing a new central midfielder over completely overhauling its front three over the summer, but Chris Sutton believes the quality of United's new attacking signings could make them a serious threat on the counter-attack on Sunday.
"This is a huge game for Arne Slot's side," Sutton said on BBC Sport. "United can definitely hurt Liverpool on the break, and that is clearly the way they will set up at Anfield.
"There are definitely reasons for Manchester United to be optimistic.
"Liverpool have issues defensively, and their weakness at full-back might suit United's tactics.
"I can see Bryan Mbeumo causing Arne Slot's side all sorts of problems."
Despite tipping United to pose an attacking threat and feeling as though the visiting side could emerge from the game with a positive result, Sutton ultimately backed Liverpool to win 2-1.
"My head is telling me that Ruben Amorim's side will get something at Anfield, but I don't want to go for a draw, even though that's what I think will happen," Sutton said.
"It is not in my nature to sit on the fence for a big game like this."
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