No keepie uppies on the Old Trafford pitch tonight for former Manchester United director Michael Knighton this evening.

He first came to public attention when he launched a £20m takeover bid in August 1989 and did a little bit of showboating prior to a 4-1 win over then champions Arsenal.

How time flies.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo comes over and hugs former Manchester United team-mates Gary Neville and Roy Keane on the touchline.

Asked about being on the bench by the Irishman Ronaldo asks what he can do about the situation. Keane replies, "get in the team."

John Murray
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

It looks pretty normal here, as was the case outside the ground earlier. I wondered whether security would be beefed up and the megastore would be open for business, but it was.

Many United supporters consider the defeat at Brentford to be as low as it's got over the course of the time since the Glazers have been at the club. The 1958 group had anti-Glazer banners in the ground that night.

Significantly, the Manchester United Supporters Trust said they would publicise any lawful, peaceful protest. They described the situation at the club as "the fish rots from the head".

The signing of Casemiro for incredible sums of money that have been mentioned - if that's supposed to be some sort of sop to the supporters, that's not the issue.

The issue remains, with the supporters, the way the club is being run and how it's being run by the Glazers. There's talk of a fan share and parts of the club being sold off, but I'm not sure they're buying that.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Old Trafford

The big talking point at Old Trafford is Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag's decision to drop captain Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo. It's a high profile headline grabber of a decision but Maguire's form has been dismal and Ronaldo has cut an unsettled figure.

As always, the result will prove whether he is right or wrong.

Ken: If Liverpool hit their straps they'll destroy that United eleven. Could be very messy.

Dave: As a lifelong City fan I must say I am very much looking forward to this game; United win means Liverpool lose = great. Liverpool win means United lose = great. Draw means they both lose and everyone else wins = perfect.

While it is important to recognise the season is still in its infancy, Liverpool need a win after dropping four points from two games.

They will have to get it without Nunez, who is suspended following his red card for a headbutt on Joachim Andersen in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last Monday.

"It's important we all recognise we are getting a 'work in progress' with Darwin - he recognises that himself," said Klopp when Liverpool announced the signing of the Benfica striker in June.

Nunez, 23, will also miss the home games against Bournemouth on 27 August and Newcastle on 31 August.

It is a setback for Klopp who has been without several players because of injury including Thiago Alcantara (thigh), Diogo Jota (thigh), Curtis Jones (calf), Joel Matip (groin), Roberto Firmino (foot), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (thigh) and Ibrahima Konate (knee).

"We have had a really tricky week," said Klopp. "Every day someone pulls up and you think 'what is going on here - do we have a witch in the building?'

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United

Have Manchester United hit rock bottom or is there worse to come?

Manchester United could lose their opening three matches of a top-flight season for just the fourth time, and first since 1986.

The Red Devils are trying to avoid losing five league games in a row for the first time in 50 years.

Chris Sutton
Former Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I’m not surprised by Maguire being dropped and Ronaldo not starting. Ten Hag’s going as athletic as possible. Having said that, Eriksen and Bruno are in the team, and the issue is whether United are going to run around this evening.

Maguire hasn’t been great and lacks pace but it was a bit of a toss of a coin. Malacia comes in - I get that, new signing. He’s trying to show faith in Martínez. Elanga starting doesn’t surprise me, as well.

One of Ten Hag’s issues is that he needs to create an identity at United and none of us really know what that is at this moment in time.

Jonathan: I've got this really strange feeling that McTominay is going to score a screamer tonight.

Tom: Maguire dropped is a welcome sight. Front line looks a bit toothless as does DCM. Too many squad players in a desperately lacking squad.

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag on Casemiro signing: "He is the cement between the stones, that is what we have been looking for in the summer and found him. Very happy with his signing.

"We have a squad, we have a lot games to cover and it was best to makes these changes for this game.

"Varane is a very experienced players, won everything and will bring the communication in the back four. We want mobility and agility in the back four.

On dropping Cristiano Ronaldo: "We know Liverpool are a really good team and you need to press them. You have to do that out of a block and need energy, that is why we went with Rashford, Sancho, Elanga

"I am aware this is the biggest game in the UK, I am very excited to be in this game."

BBC Radio Manchester

BBC Manchester's Richard Stead outside Old Trafford:

"There are thousands on thousands in this protest. You can feel the anger in the air. A hugely significant protest. This feels different, the fans have told me if they can maintain momentum, maybe this time the owners will listen to the anti Glazer sentiment.

"There is more optimism around. It is quite tense around Old Trafford at the moment. There is some anger. A lot of the fans do not have tickets."

Micah Richards
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Forget what everyone else thinks - Ten Hag, as a manager, has to make decisions that are right for him. Fans are going to have their opinions, and that's fine, but he's playing against Liverpool, one of the best teams around. He probably wants to play counter-attacking football; we know Liverpool love to play that high line.

Yes, Ronaldo is the top scorer from last season, so it is a little bit of a risk in terms of Elanga not scoring at home and Rashford not being that great, all these things. But every game is different.

Maguire has had slander for the best part of a year now - honestly, it's been toxic around him. Taking Maguire out is nice, and maybe it's because he's been linked with Chelsea as well.

Man Utd keep talking about how the manager needs to make his own mind up and make his decisions. When he does that, people are going to be questioning him.

Loadsss marching down Warwick Road on the way to the ground.

Shaun Wright-Phillips
Former Man City winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Casemiro brings something that Manchester United definitely need. You could see in the opening two league games they are lacking in that area. He is someone who prides his games on winning the ball back.

He might be the catalyst to bring more players to Manchester United.

When Christian Eriksen has played in that holding midfield role it was based off the back of trying two holding players at Brighton and there was nothing so it was like, let's play a footballing team.

I would play Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Eriksen together.

We almost forget that all of Manchester United's players are international players. It is not that they are lacking in quality, for me they are lacking in heart and a willingness to fight. They have none of that.

Casemiro is perfect for them, he will lead by example. If he gets the chance to hit you fairly he will do that and it will help put Manchester United on the front foot.

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist

Will the signing of Casemiro prove to be a stroke of genius for Manchester United - or yet another expensive mistake?

It's said that Hollywood director Cecil B DeMille could find nobodies and turn them into stars. Manchester United have spent much of their time since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, some nine years and six full-time managers ago, buying stars and turning them into less than they were.

Whether or not the 30-year-old defensive midfielder, who has won five Champions League titles, ends up being a superstar or superflop, the only certain thing is that he will cost the club a lot of money.

By paying him £350,000 a week, United could almost double his Real Madrid wages, making him the club's third-highest earner, after Cristiano Ronaldo and David de Gea.

But will it be money well spent?

Read the full piece

Dean: Bit worried as a Liverpool fan with our midfield - it seems to be the weakest area of the squad with all the injuries, especially with Fabinho's rough start to the season. Hope we get a clean win to keep us relevant.

Andris: All logic says an easy away result. So I'll say 1-0 United… this is why we love the Premier League.

Neil: On paper, Man Utd’s bench looks stronger than Liverpool’s tonight or Man City’s was yesterday. A pity the first XI is so dire.

Micah Richards
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

I am very surprised by Liverpool's line-up because Fabinho, on his day, is one of the best defensive midfielders in world football. Milner is dependable and Elliott likes to get on the ball and he can create. Fabinho can always come on.

Liverpool are probably expected to dominate this game, possession-wise. It looks like Man Utd have just gone with pace, with Liverpool's high line. Maybe Klopp's just gone with someone who he thinks is a little bit more dependable in Milner and Henderson in there, with his experience in this fixture, and Elliott just to create a little bit more.

Sky Sports

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane, speaking on Sky Sports: "Erik ten Hag has made some big calls. Harry Maguire has not played well so there is no surprise. The goals they have been conceding have not given them a chance.

"You look at the spine of the team and it has not been good enough, so he has been forced into these changes."

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, speaking to Sky Sports: "The team I like a lot. We have good options to change, the rest is young and exciting. We are in a good shape.

"We are lucky we could play them in pre-season and you could see 100% what they wanted to do, the way they set up and the press. We expected the changes.

"It is not a perfect start. Performance wise we played two good games and one bad one. Now we are here and well prepared and let's go for it. I can't wait.

"We have problems but we have found solutions and hopefully they work tonight.

"It feels extremely important because it is the start of the season and we don't want to wait until October until we are 100% in. It is very important."

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has made a couple of very big calls there. Not sure what it says about Harry Maguire's current status that the captain is dropped for such an important game while Cristiano Ronaldo will be frustrated in the extreme not to be starting against Liverpool.