Opinion: Why Manchester United NEED to beat Liverpool this evening

Manchester United host Liverpool in a must-win FA Cup tie at Old Trafford tonight.

The importance of the tie for the hosts is huge, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hoping the cup can become his first piece of silverware as manager of the Red Devils.

The hosts have been unable to win the FA Cup since Louis van Gaal’s final game at the helm in 2016, having lost in both the final and semi-final since.

United’s last time winning the competition, the 12^th time in the club’s history, made them joint-record holders of the cup. Since, Arsenal have been victorious in two separate campaigns, extending their lead to 14.

Winning the cup this season would show Solskjaer’s ideas with the side are paying off, providing the side with what could be their first piece of silverware under the Norwegian boss.

Not only would winning the tie increase their chances of winning the cup by knocking out one of the county’s best sides, but it could also arguably increase their chances of lifting the league title.

They currently lie on top of the table. It is the first time the side have been first at this stage of a season since they last won it in 2012/13.

Following their goalless draw to Liverpool in the league last weekend, winning the tie this evening could shape the side in good stead to make a title charge.

Manchester United last beat Liverpool in March 2018 and have since failed to defeat their oldest rivals in their last five attempts.

However, United were arguably unlucky to take only a point from Anfield, with the two biggest chances falling in their favour.

The win would be a massive mental boost for the United players. Beating Liverpool may remove doubts surrounding their inability to defeat them, with the side due to host Liverpool in what could be a title-deciding tie in May.

Although going further in the competition – thus playing more games – may prove to be costly at a later date, the mental benefit from winning the tie could be gargantuan.