Four things United must do to knock out Liverpool in Europa League

Manchester United will be hoping to overturn the two goal deficit they suffered at Anfield, when they host Liverpool on Thursday.

The team will have to score more than two goals and hope not to concede to send their Arch rivals out within 90 minutes.

Here are four things United must do to stand a good chance of qualifying:

1. Control the game from start

Playing in front of their home fans, United must try to be the best team from the first blast of the whistle.

Van Gaal's men must dominate possession early enough, and start the game with confidence. This will ginger the Old Trafford fans to massively support the team. 

If Liverpool are allowed to start the game on the front foot, United may just never hit top gear throughout the match.

2. Get an early goal

Who scores the first goal in this game gets a massive advantage. With United needing to score at least three goals, scoring the first goal early will boost the team's confidence and send shivers down the Liverpool team. If United will knock out within 90 minutes, then a goal in the first 20 or 30 minutes is a must.

3. Defend with their lives

Liverpool on their day can boast of one of the best attacking force in the country. 

Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino  and co. must be kept silent.

United's defensive efforts on the night must be a collective one. What fans call mass defence, mass attack.

The best form of defence in this form of game is to scuffle possession from Liverpool.

Chris Smalling, Blind and others must be on top of their game. While the United midfielders must be very close to the defence.

4. Counter attack is a must

A game like this is not one United attack with Van Gaal's possessive philosophy in the final third.

United must be ruthless on the attack, pull in the crosses, long balls and get dirty in the final third. Anthony Martial specifically must get a balls in the box, for him to attack