John Aldridge expects Manchester United to "park the bus" at Anfield

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho before his side's Premier League match with Stoke City at Old Trafford on October 2, 2016
© SilverHub
Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge believes that the presence of Jose Mourinho will add "extra spice" to the visit of Manchester United to Anfield.

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has claimed that Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will look to "park the bus" when his side visit Anfield next Monday.

Mourinho already has a chequered history in matches against Liverpool from his time with Chelsea, and will take on the Merseyside outfit for the first time as United boss when Premier League football returns after the international break.

Aldridge believes that the presence of Mourinho will add even more to what many already consider English football's biggest game and is expecting the Portuguese to adopt similar tactics to those used during Chelsea's 2-0 win at Anfield in 2014 - a result that effectively derailed Liverpool's title charge.

"The fact that Jose Mourinho is Manchester United manager adds extra spice to a fierce rivalry. It also means that beating them would be even sweeter. Liverpool fans didn't mind Louis van Gaal. They didn't really have a problem with David Moyes but they can't stand Mourinho, especially after the way he conducted himself in the games against us with Chelsea," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"He's guaranteed a hostile reception and I think Mourinho's tactics will be exactly the same as when he brought Chelsea to Anfield in April 2014. Mourinho is a defensive manager and he will park the bus and then try to feed off our mistakes by hitting us on the break.

"I'm sure he will also place a big emphasis on set pieces because United are a big team physically and they know that's been an area of weakness for us at times."

United have won their last four league meetings with Liverpool.

John Aldridge during the Liverpool FC Legends and Kaizer Chiefs Legends autograph session at Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World on November 15, 2013
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