It's perhaps the darkest day in a recent history littered with matches many Manchester United fans would love to forget.

The Reds travelled to Anfield in March 2023 seeking to build on a Carabao Cup final success against Newcastle United that had prompted hopes of a successful new era. Seven days and seven goals later and that notion was in tatters.

United were in contention for much of the first half but capitulated in the second in an embarrassing performance which then-manager Erik ten Hag branded 'unprofessional'. It will be a new boss taking United to Anfield this time with Ruben Amorim at the helm.

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But the Reds are in the doldrums, languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table 25 points behind leaders Liverpool. United have lost their last three top flight fixtures without scoring a goal and travel to Merseyside as significant underdogs with very little cause for optimism.

It's left former United captain and current Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville worried about what will unfold on Sunday afternoon, even if he doesn't envisage another 7-0 mauling.

"Do I have any hopes for the New Year?" he said, speaking on Monday Night Football. "Well, we've got to go to Anfield on Sunday and do you remember the old Sunday League games when sometimes teams wouldn't turn up?

"I mean, to be honest with you, Sunday I can't get out of my head. It's only a few days away and it's such a big game obviously every single year and obviously Manchester United won at Man City, which none of us expected, but you're just going into that game now with Liverpool and I don't know what favourites they'll be for that game but they will be massive favourites.

"I think, look, he has to play the players with the most energy and legs. If you watch that Liverpool team they all pretty much can run, so he (Amorim) has to play the highest energy team. Tonight (against Newcastle) that back three and that midfield two had no energy.

"So even the likes of Leny Yoro, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, he's back, so basically you've got that situation where you just get the players in the team who have got a bit of quality and who can run.

"You've got to be able to run at Anfield, there's no way you can get away with picking a team like he did tonight."

He added: "Joking aside, I've no idea how they approach this game on Sunday.

"I've said many times in the last few years it's tough. I was there for the 7-0 [defeat] right to the bitter end. Manchester United fans were and you're not fearing for that [again] but you're just wondering, what can Ruben Amorim do in the next few days?

"I mean the only thing he can do is point towards Manchester City (2-1 win). I don't know. I genuinely don't know. Players will come back, players will improve. When results are this bad, it just piles on the pressure and Anfield is the worst place to go, it's an unforgiving place at the best of times. And the form they are in is out of this world. So I have some fear at the moment but maybe we can enjoy the New Year and see what happens."