Manchester United picked up their first pot of the Erik ten Hag era with a 2-0 success over Newcastle in the EFL Cup final and the Racing Post's Dan Childs says they can continue their form by defeating Liverpool on Sunday.

Anfield has not been a happy hunting ground for the Red Devils in recent years, with only one point secured from the last four league visits.

However, United have made substantial progress this season and they hold a 10-point advantage over Liverpool, who appear to be going in the opposite direction.

Liverpool kept their top four hopes alive with a 2-0 victory over Wolves on Wednesday but they were beaten 5-2 by Real Madrid in their most recent home fixture and are heading for a trophyless campaign.

What	Liverpool v Manchester United, Premier League
Where	Anfield, Liverpool
When	16:30, Sunday 5th March
How to watch	Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League
Odds	Liverpool 11/8, Draw 13/5, Manchester United 15/8

Top tips

Man Utd draw no bet @ 11/10

Over 2.5 goals @ 4/6

Liverpool 1-2 Man Utd - Correct score @ 11/1

Marcus Rashford to score anytime @ 6/4

Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

United can do the double

United have not registered a league double over Liverpool since the 2015/16 campaign but they look the likelier winners this weekend and appeal at 11/10 on the draw no bet.

Liverpool have had the upper hand over United for the majority of Jurgen Klopp's time in charge but they appear to be going through a transitional season and face a battle to secure any form of European football for next term.

The Reds looked to have turned the corner towards the end of 2022 when they racked up four successive Premier League wins.

However, their inconsistencies soon returned and the losses at Brentford (1-3), Brighton (0-3) and Wolves (0-3) were as bad as anything seen in the opening months of the campaign.

Liverpool have been a lot more reliable at Anfield where they have taken 27 points from 12 games, but they are no longer a side to be genuinely feared and were comprehensively taken apart by Real Madrid in last week's Champions League clash.

United dealt a lot better with their Europa League matches against Barcelona and have performed to a generally high standard across four competitions.

They were under huge pressure before their August clash at home to Liverpool when they ran out worthy 2-1 winners.

This time it is Liverpool who approach the fixture with a lot to prove but they appear unlikely to upset the formbook.

Trend of high-scoring encounters could continue

There were four goalless draws between Liverpool and Manchester United between October 2016 and January 2021, but the last five competitive matches have generated a total of 23 goals and the recent high-scoring trend looks set to continue.

Over 3.5 goals has been a winning wager in four of the last five meetings, so there are solid statistical grounds for backing over 2.5 goals at 4/6.

For punters anticipating high-scoring fare, it helps that both teams are in a situation where they need to push for a victory.

A single point would not do much for Liverpool's hopes of securing Champions League football and it would inflict further damage to United's slim title chances.

In the not-too-distant past, United teams have arrived at Anfield with a fairly cautious attitude, but these days they approach every game with a positive mindset.

United have netted at least two goals in each of their last 12 games and nine of those have been without the presence of their assist machine Christian Eriksen.

Liverpool have found it much more difficult to cope with injury setbacks, although they have looked more of a threat since Diogo Jota's return to fitness.

They should get on the scoresheet but are likely to be overpowered by United, who look overpriced at 11/1 to secure a 2-1 success.

Red-hot Rashford looks a likely match-winner

The Red Devils' revival under Ten Hag has been assisted by some high-calibre signings but several established United players have raised their performance levels, including Marcus Rashford, who is on course for the most productive season of his career.

Rashford's 14 Premier League goals include 10 in as many appearances since the World Cup and the 25-year-old looks a solid 6/4 wager to add to his tally at anytime against Liverpool.

Ten Hag quickly identified Rashford as a key player and recognised that he is at his most effective when operating off the left flank.

The arrival of Wout Weghorst has taken some of the physical strain off of Rashford and helped to get the best out of United's most dangerous attacker.

However, Weghorst still awaits his first Premier League goal and is short enough at 13/5 to score at Anfield.

The main threat from the hosts comes from Mohamed Salah, who appears to be playing with greater confidence.

Salah has notched in each of Liverpool's last three home fixtures and is 5/1 to net first and 13/8 to get on the scoresheet.