- United have lost five of their last six Premier League games under Amorim
- Liverpool, however, are in good form and five points clear at the top of the table.
- LISTEN NOW: It's all starting! New line-up, some new faces, but optimism has faded at Old Trafford
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim admits his players head into the toughest game of the season at Liverpool “anxious and scared”.
Amorim has struggled to lift spirits at Old Trafford this week after five defeats in six games left the club in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
With leaders Liverpool also in irrepressible form, some pessimistic United fans even fear a repeat of the humiliating 7-0 defeat at Anfield two seasons ago.
Describing his team's lack of confidence in recent weeks, a candid Amorim said: “They are anxious and sometimes scared on the pitch.
'We have to face that. We need leaders to step up and help others, and I am the most responsible person here to improve performances.
'You can see that the players are trying. Sometimes they are too anxious and too scared to play football because it is a difficult time.
Rubén Amorim has admitted that his Manchester United players are “anxious and scared” ahead of the clash against Liverpool
Five defeats in six games have left United in the bottom half of the Premier League table
Amorim will receive captain Bruno Fernandes after his suspension for the clash at Anfield
'For two days we have been doing the basics, focusing on our idea of playing football and doing our thing.
'The fans are tired of this moment so it's strange to hear them chanting my name. I'm giving everything to help the club. “I know it's hard to understand right now, but we're going to be successful.”
Amorim welcomes back captain Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte, who were suspended for the 2-0 home defeat against Newcastle on Monday night, but Marcus Rashford is almost definitely ruled out due to illness.
The United boss laughed at how two months on the Old Trafford bench has already aged him. 'You can see it in my face, you can compare the way I arrived and now!' said.
'Of course there is a lot of pressure. The only thing that can help me is training with the players and now I also have my family here. They arrived on the 27th. It was a good day.'