Man Utd takeover live - 'Mystery bidder' emerges as Glazers divided over sale

Full-time at Anfield

Man Utd lose 7-0 against Liverpool on an afternoon to forget for Ten Hag and co.

Here's our report.

Going from bad to worse for Utd

Salah has scored to make it 4-0 with Gakpo grabbing Liverpool's third.

United have been dealt a major reality check at Anfield.

Liverpool double lead

Nunez has scored in front of the Kop just minutes into the second-half.

A long way back for United now.

Liverpool take the lead

Clearly put the mockers on that.

Gakpo - a man previously on United's radar - has scored past De Gea.

On top against Liverpool

It is still goalless but it is the visitors who are enjoying the better of the play at Anfield.

Rashford is among those to have half chances, but the deadlock is yet to be broken.

Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move

Kick-off at Anfield

We'll keep you updated with any goings on throughout the clash.

Neville-Souness clash ahead of Anfield meeting

Gary Neville and Graeme Souness have clashed ahead of Manchester United's visit to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

It was in the reverse fixture that United recorded their first win of the Erik ten Hag era and have since gone from strength to strength. Liverpool meanwhile have endured a notable decline this term with their place in the top four very much under threat.

United recently picked up their first trophy in six years, claiming the Carabao Cup, and underlined their character with a gutsy FA Cup win over West Ham in midweek. Liverpool, prior to this season, had gone years without losing at Anfield and it remains a daunting place for opponents.

Neville believes that his former side should head to Merseyside with huge belief and backs them to get a result if they can score, but Souness took issue with his colleague overlooking this as their biggest test.

See more here.

Today's line-up at Anfield

BRING ON UNITED! #MUFC || #LIVMUN

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 5, 2023

TAA lifts lid on watching Man Utd success

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has admitted "it burns" to see Manchester United succeed during a challenging season for his own club.

Jurgen Klopp's side won both domestic cups in the 2021-22 season, including a Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea. This time, though, it was United's turn to lift the trophy after putting two unanswered goals past Newcastle.

Liverpool have also been playing catch-up to their rivals in the Premier League, having finished ahead of them in three of the four previous seasons. However, it was the silverware - United's first since back in 2017 - which really stung for the right-back.

See more here.

De Jong still on the radar

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is at the top of Manchester United’s summer transfer shortlist - and they have been given a boost by the Catalan club’s own list of transfer targets.

Barca boss Xavi is pursuing five players to bolster his squad’s ranks ahead of next season as they look to establish themselves as challengers on the European front to add to their domestic successes this campaign.

The club are looking at United’s Manchester rivals, City, with midfielders Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva said to be on their wish list. That suggests that Barca are not fully counting on the future of De Jong at the club and could feasibly lead to a summer exit.

See more here.

What channel is Man Utd v Liverpool on today?

Here's all your viewing info ahead of this afternoon.

When is Liverpool vs Man Utd?

England's top most successful teams will square off on Sunday 5th March.

Kick-off at Anfield comes at 4:30pm.

How can I watch the game?

The contest is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League with coverage beginning at 4pm.

It follows Nottingham Forest's clash with Everton, also on Sky, with subscribers capable of watching it on the go via the Sky Go app, available on phones, tablets and laptops.

Match Odds

Liverpool - 11/8

Draw - 13/5

Man United - 7/4

Agbonlahor hits back after Keane's Rice rant

Gabby Agbonlahor has launched a stinging attack on Roy Keane and claimed that the Manchester United icon is a "bitter guy" following his recent comments on United target Declan Rice.

Keane was less than complimentary about Rice following West Ham's 3-1 defeat against United in the FA Cup and questioned whether or not the midfielder - who has been linked with a blockbuster summer move - is worth the enormous £100million valuation that the Hammers have placed upon him due to his lack of goal contributions.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

ICYMI: Mystery third bigger emerges in takeover race

An unidentified bidder from the United States is also in the frame to purchase Manchester United as the club's takeover saga rumbles onto the next stage.

There has been plenty of interest in the Premier League giants since the Glazer family effectively put the club on the market back in November. And despite recent speculation that United's unpopular American owners could perform a U-turn and stay put, some of the suitors who have already gone public with their bids have been invited to Old Trafford for further talks.

Lifelong Manchester United fan and INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe is one bidder who has made it through to the next stage of the process. Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is also set for further talks over a deal - but they will be joined by a third group.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

Casemiro habits land him in hot water

Casemiro has only been at Manchester United for a little over six months, but the impact he has already had at the club simply cannot be understated.

United have lacked a quality defensive midfielder for years. And whilst Casemiro has helped to instil the authority that has been lacking in plenty of the Manchester United teams in years gone by, the Brazilian has also quickly demonstrated that he has far too much class to be labelled as just an enforcer.

During his nine-year stay at Real Madrid, Casemiro starred in some famous European night; partly due to the work he puts in with his meticulous approach away from the pitch, which includes watching football matches and scouring Wyscout in his free time.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

Man Utd eye new goalkeeper

Manchester United and Liverpool are considering a summer move for New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

Both clubs are in the market for goalkeeping reinforcements in the summer and the Serbia international, 23, figures high on their wanted lists. United are still talking to No.1 David de Gea about a new deal, while back-up keeper Tom Heaton is out of contract in the summer and Jack Butland’s loan from Crystal Palace expires at the end of the season.

Dean Henderson is set to return to Old Trafford from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest. But he is unlikely to be happy playing back-up to De Gea, meaning United are scouring the globe for new signings.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

Fowler gives Man Utd title verdict

"People keep asking me if Manchester United can win the title. My Answer? They can, but they won’t!"

That's Robbie Fowler's verdict on whether or not Manchester United are capable of pipping Arsenal and Manchester City to the Premier League crown.

Read his full thoughts HERE!

Van Dijk branded Martinez claims "absolute rubbish"

There will be no love lost when Manchester United travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday.

The Red Devils are on a high after ending a six-year trophy drought last weekend and will be intent on piling even more misery on Jurgen Klopp's side, who have endured a campaign to forget.

Clashes between United and Liverpool have been some of the most entertaining and ferocious in Premier League history in recent years given the animosity between the two sides.

However, that fierce rivalry didn't deter Virgil van Dijk from speaking out in defence of Lisandro Martinez earlier in the season after the defender was criticised following his blockbuster summer switch to Old Trafford.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

Man Utd v Liverpool predictions

The fortunes of both sides may change, but the intensity of a Liverpool versus Manchester United fixture remains.

English football's two most successful sides lock horns again at Anfield on Sunday, with the visitors suddenly the team in the ascendant thanks to their hugely impressive season.

United have succeeded Liverpool as League Cup winners, and there is even talk of a title challenge from Erik ten Hag's side as they continue to impress under the Dutchman.

Liverpool have been reduced to battling for a top four finish, and their odds of that have been improved with three wins from their last four league matches, all without conceding a goal.

So which way will it go at Anfield? We asked our Mirror Footballteam what they think: READ THE PREDICTIONS HERE!

Antony scuppered Liverpool move by "behaving like an idiot"

For Liverpool, their season hangs on finishing in the top four of the Premier League.

Jurgen Klopp's side are 5-2 down to Real Madrid in their last-16 Champions League tie and seem destined to exit the tournament after the second leg later this month. It has been a tough campaign for Liverpool, but a top-four spot would offer some consolation.

Achieving that will be difficult, though, as the Reds sit sixth in the Premier League table, six points behind Tottenham in fourth with a game in hand. They need to start picking up wins quickly, but their next opponents - bitter rivals Manchester United - will be keen to thwart them on Sunday. After all, Antony knows a thing or two about doing that

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

Predicted Man Utd line-up

Third-place Manchester United will be hoping to close the gap on the Premier League top two when they travel to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

The Red Devils haven't played in the top-flight for two weeks following their routine victory over Leicester, having turned their concentration to the Europa League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup. However, Erik ten Hag's men have won all three matches since the clash with the Foxes on February 19 - beating Barcelona, Newcastle and West Ham.

Here's how they could line up against Liverpool today...

Man Utd sweating on Varane injury

Raphael Varane will have a late fitness test ahead of Manchester United's Premier League trip to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

It is believed the former France international, 29, has a leg complaint and will need to be assessed on the morning of the game. Erik ten Hag is expected to give Harry Maguire the nod if Varane is not fit, with Lisandro Martinez set to continue at left-centre-back.

The Red Devils take on their bitter rivals at Anfield, with a lot at stake. Ten Hag's side have slipped 14 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal in the title race and must make full use of their two games in hand if they are to keep their slim hopes alive.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

Man Utd reaping Carrick benefits

Michael Carrick is enjoying plenty of success at Middlesbrough - but that should come as no surprise after his impact on Erik ten Hag's Manchester United.

Carrick's current side took another step towards the Premier League on Saturday afternoon by beating Reading 5-0 at the Riverside. Middlesbrough are now just four points behind Sheffield United in second, although the Blades do have a game in hand.

Carrick has turned his team's fortunes around, as they were just a point above the Championship relegation zone when he took over last October. It is not the first time the former England international has proven himself as a coach... just ask Man Utd's Fred.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

ICYMI: Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim BOTH approved

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have BOTH progressed to the next stage of negotiations to complete a takeover of Manchester United.

Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim and INEOS founder Ratcliffe are the only two bidders to go public with their desire to buy the club. It is believed Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim have been told they have progressed to the second of a three-stage takeover process.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

Mystery third bidder emerges

An unidentified bidder from the United States is also in the frame to purchase Manchester United as the club's takeover saga rumbles onto the next stage.

There has been plenty of interest in the Premier League giants since the Glazer family effectively put the club on the market back in November. And despite recent speculation that United's unpopular American owners could perform a U-turn and stay put, some of the suitors who have already gone public with their bids have been invited to Old Trafford for further talks.

Lifelong Manchester United fan and INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe is one bidder who has made it through to the next stage of the process. Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is also set for further talks over a deal - but they will be joined by a third group.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

Welcome!

Good morning and welcome!

We have a big day ahead of us on the pitch as Manchester United travel to Liverpool, but we'll also be keeping you bang up to date on all the latest away from the action as the takeover saga continues to rumble on.

Let's get started...

Goodnight

That's all we've got time for this evening.

Please join us on Sunday morning for more news on the potential sale of Manchester United.

Man Utd players 'excited' ahead of takeover

A clutch of Man Utd stars are getting excited over potentially receiving bumper new contracts should Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani complete an Old Trafford takeover.

As per The Independent, via the Daily Express, some players are eyeing financial boost should a deal be completed over the coming season. Meanwhile, some are putting off talks until after a takeover is completed.

FULL STORY: Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim BOTH approved

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have BOTH progressed to the next stage of negotiations to complete a takeover of Manchester United.

Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim and INEOS founder Ratcliffe are the only two bidders to go public with their desire to buy the club. It is believed Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim have been told they have progressed to the second of a three-stage takeover process.

It remains to be seen whether the Glazers will accept an offer from either party, as they did not promise to sell United when they put the club up for sale in November. There is a chance the Americans owners will sell just a fraction of their shares - or nothing at all.

Click here to read the FULL story...

Ratcliffe 'refuses' to meet Sheikh Jassim pledge

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is refusing to match Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani's promise to wipe the debt from Manchester United's accounts.

The duo are the only two known bidders seeking a full takeover of the Red Devils, with the Glazers seeking either a full sale or investment in the club. There is little between the bids in terms of price, with both believed to have offered in the region of £4.5billion.

But one key advantage that Al Thani holds over English billionaire Ratcliffe is that he is promising to make his takeover debt-free. The Qatari is also pledging to wipe the debt accrued by the Glazers from the Red Devils accounts.

Click here to read the full story.

Bellingham urged to make Man Utd move

Rio Ferdinand has urged Jude Bellingham to reject a move to Liverpool in favour of a switch to Man Utd.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: "If I'm a player, say Jude Bellingham or Declan Rice - two of the most in-demand English midfielders that may get moves this summer - and someone says, 'Manchester United or Liverpool, where are you going?', forget my Manchester United ties, I have to go with United right now."

The Red Devils would arguably ben in the coversation for Bellingham after a takeover.