United Need Luck of the Irish
A drinking ban's in place on the streets of Manchester ahead of tonight's Europa League clash with Liverpool
Police have consulted fans groups to make sure the game and the St Patricks Day celebration pass off peacefully. 　
Match commander Superintendent Jim Liggett, said: ‘As match commander for the forthcoming Manchester United vs Liverpool fixture, I would like to welcome both sets of fans attending the game.
‘The aim of the police is to ensure that everybody enjoys the match and the day passes off safely with recent fixtures at Old Trafford between the two sides passing without incident which we hope will continue on Thursday.
‘Many issues experienced by fans can be overcome by effective communication and in order to build upon good relations from previous seasons, we have already spoken with supporters associations and stadium safety officers from both clubs to talk through some aspects of the policing operation.
‘As always, the TV cameras and media will be focused on one of the biggest club fixtures in the world and I hope that supporters from both sides act in a responsible manner and enjoy the game, no matter what the result.’ Boss Louis van Gaal has emphasised that Manchester United are looking ahead to Thursday's Europa League last-16 second leg against Liverpool only thinking positively about their prospects of turning the tie around.
United lost last week's initial encounter with Jurgen Klopp's side 2-0 at Anfield.
In the previous round, Van Gaal's men bounced back from a 2-1 first-leg defeat at FC Midtjylland to beat the Danish outfit 5-1, 6-3 on aggregate.
And Van Gaal said of the Old Trafford match: We only have to think about beating Liverpool.
We have to beat them 2-0, not 3-0, in 90 minutes. We have to do it 2-0, and then we have the chance in extra time.
First it's 2-0 and you know we have scored goals within three or four minutes this season, so it is possible.
Our aim is to beat Liverpool and if we can do that with a two-goal difference without conceding, fantastic - then we have extra time and we have our home fans.