Harry Maguire insists revenge for a 5-0 hammering by Liverpool FC will be Manchester United’s motivation, not the damage they can do to the quadruple hopes of Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick as Liverpool beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in October, which led to the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Liverpool have since lifted the EFL Cup, reached the FA Cup final by defeating Premier League leaders Manchester City, who are trailing by one point in the league, and are in the Champions League final against Villarreal.
Klopp’s side have repeatedly rejected four-man negotiations but could take another step towards unprecedented success when they beat Ralf Rangnick’s side at Anfield on Tuesday.
That would leave them two points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s City, but United captain Maguire believes that disrupting Liverpool’s four-game prospects is not something the visitors look forward to.
“I don’t think that’s part of our motivation, to be honest,” he told Sky Sports.
“I think the inspiration goes to Anfield, we play Liverpool and we win a football game and we get three points for the team and the fans.
“The fans have been attached to us all season, coming in large numbers wherever they go, playing well in this difficult season.
“For us to go to Anfield, do well and get three points, it would be a great moment for us to give the fans. So I think that’s a great incentive for us.”
Liverpool dropped the mark with a 5-0 win over United, but playing since then has also exposed the two opposing sides, with 19 points separating them from the Premier League.
Manchester United can still qualify for the Champions League, however, sitting just three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham and level with just four runners-up Arsenal.
And Maguire wants his team to make history when they head to their rivals with the aim of boosting Europe’s hopes.
“That was the lowest point, the lowest point of the season, one of the lowest points in my career, and I’m sure some guys, apart from the international football involved in that,” he said in a 5-0 defeat.
“You do not need to be encouraged to play in these games, this is a big competition, if you join this club you know the competition, it is one of the biggest in the world.
“It’s a game we have to look forward to. We know we’re going to have to play our best to get something, and that’s what we have to prepare for.”
