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Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler mocks Man Utd with epic defence putdown
LIVERPOOL legend Robbie Fowler has mocked Manchester United for having a 'dodgy defence'.
Man United v Liverpool: Premier League match preview
Manchester United have won eight of their nine Premier League matches since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took caretaker charge in December.
The Norwegian's appointment came after they were beaten 3-1 by Liverpool at Anfield - a match which cost Jose Mourinho his job.
United were 11 points adrift of the top four but they are now right in the mix to reach the Champions League.
Fowler believes today's game will be won and lost in midfield - despite noting the fierce rivals have a paper-thin backline.
"Let's be straight about this, Manchester United have a dodgy defence," he told the Mirror.
"That's not me being biased - six clean sheets in the league all season tells you that. It's improved, no doubt, but there are still weaknesses.
"Liverpool's attack is their world-class strength. Again, no doubt. Yet for Jurgen Klopp to use his forwards' penetration and movement, that can be so devastating, he needs his midfield to provide the platform.
"So even though the table tells you that my former club are individually much better this season - and man-for-man you can't argue with that - it really doesn't matter. What matters is that war in midfield.
Jurgen Klopp: Solskjaer made a ‘massive difference’ at United
"I'll give you an example. I scored what I call my 'ghost goals' back in '95 when Eric Cantona made his comeback. We dominated that day (and should have won), because we controlled midfield.
"I spoke to Phil Neville about it recently, and we agreed they simply couldn't get to grips with the space John Barnes, Michael Thomas and Steve McManaman found in the middle, to feed me.
"So the battle comes down to how Liverpool cope with Paul Pogba, and how Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic deal with the space between their lines where Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane will operate."
The case of Pogba is one that particular interests Fowler, who blasted United as 'garbage' for how they played at Anfield last year.
"Pogba is a fascinating example of the importance of faith and belief in football," he added.
"He's had a new lease of life under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, looks top class again, and no doubt he can hurt Liverpool. The fact he didn't play at Anfield earlier in the season now seems remarkable. He didn't even get on in a game where United were garbage.
"That tells you all about the relationship between him and Jose Mourinho, and exactly what has happened since he's left.
"Solskjaer has moved the team around Pogba, put him in a position where he can use his talents, and crucially not asked him to do stuff he simply can't. It's not rocket science to put faith in a star who cost £100million!"