Gary Neville: Liverpool’s downfall is proof that Manchester United can break Arsenal’s hearts

In just under two weeks, Manchester United will welcome Premier League title-chasing Arsenal to Old Trafford in one of the most hotly anticipated games of the remainder of this season.

Manchester United have certainly had a season to forget across three of the four competitions this season. Poor performances and results have left them out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup while sitting sixth in the Premier League table.

The FA Cup final represents Erik ten Hag‘s final chance for glory during 2023/24. It produced what will probably go down as the most iconic game of the campaign—a brilliant 4-3 win over Liverpool in the quarter-finals.

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That fixture proved that, even during their lowest moments, no one quite knows what will happen at Old Trafford. Despite the poor displays, it is far from a sure three points for any team that visits.

Gary Neville, former United captain, speaking about Arsenal’s visit to the stadium in two weeks, reckons that Arsenal should be wary of what United are capable of.

“You never know what is going to happen at Old Trafford, and Old Trafford can be a graveyard for teams,” Neville told his podcast with Sky Sports.

“Even with the way Manchester United are at the moment, you have to regard that as a massive match and a big game.

“Teams have won at Old Trafford that have been in the bottom half of the table, but teams in the top half of the table have gone there and struggled.”

Alluding to the FA Cup win over Liverpool, Neville explained that that game effectively broke Liverpool’s season. The club was knocked out of the Europa League and has been falling behind in the Premier League title race ever since Amad’s winning effort.

Neville alluded to the idea that United could break Arsenal’s hearts by stopping their Premier League title chase, using the Liverpool game as an example.

“Liverpool famously, in the last month or two, have lost an FA Cup quarter-final there, and they drew in the league, and that was probably the start of Liverpool’s downfall in terms of where they are now (compared to where they were then), in terms of dropping out of the title race and getting knocked out of the FA Cup.

“You can never underestimate a game at Old Trafford. If you look at a collection of matches, it can be overwhelming, but if you look at the form that Arsenal have been in and the defensive stability they have had, it’s not because of team errors (that they conceded two goals against Spurs).

“I think they (Arsenal) will achieve a 100 per cent record. The one doubt is the Old Trafford game. It will all depend for me on how City do in the next week or two as well.”