Liverpool's problems dwarfed by United's ahead of Old Trafford clash

LONDON : With four points dropped in their opening two games, Liverpool's margin for error in the expected title race with Manchester City already looks seriously depleted as they prepare for their clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday.

Mediocre displays in draws against Fulham and Crystal Palace mean Juergen Klopp's side are already in the bottom half of the table, and injuries and a three-game suspension for new signing Darwin Nunez add to the sense of unease at Anfield.

Incredibly, Liverpool's early-season problems look trivial compared with those of their arch-rivals Manchester United.

For the first time since 1992, United are bottom of the Premier League after losing their opening two games against Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford.

Thirty years ago they recovered to win the title, but currently not even the most optimistic United fans will believe they can realistically challenge for the top four, let alone think of challenging reigning champions City.

For a few hours early on Wednesday, United's fans dared to dream that Tesla founder Elon Musk was planning to buy the club, only for the billionaire to admit later on that his Twitter message was just a joke.

British chemicals magnate Jim Ratcliffe's apparent interest in buying in to Manchester United offers some hope for United's fans desperate for an end to the Glazer-family ownership.

But for now, the only thing on their minds will be avoiding what could be humiliation at the hands of a Liverpool side desperate to get their own season up and running.

United's performance against Brentford last weekend, when they conceded four times in the opening 35 minutes, was one of the most humiliating in the club's illustrious history.

New manager Erik ten Hag