Pallister: Manchester United Need Fans Against Liverpool

Ex-Manchester United defender Gary Pallister hopes a red-hot atmosphere at Old Trafford can help propel his former side to an unlikely Europa League last-16 victory over Liverpool.

United were only able to muster one shot target in last week's first leg at Anfield as goals from Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino saw them lose 2-0, leaving them with a mountain to climb on Thursday night.

But Louis van Gaal's side showed character to come back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with West Ham in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final and Pallister says that performance is a timley boost ahead of the game with bitter rivals, Liverpool.

"We didn't want to go into that game off the back of being knocked out of the FA Cup," Pallister told Sky Sports.

"It's an uphill task and for sure it is a big ask of the players to overcome a 2-0 deficit but hopefully we can get the kind of atmosphere that we saw at Anfield the other night.

"It was a red-hot atmosphere last week and I hope it will be red-hot again on Thursday and Liverpool will feel intimidated by coming to Old Trafford with the crowd in full voice.

"Hopefully that will work in our favour and we can get an early goal and keep the tie alive because if they score we'll have to score four goals at least.

"We need to make it a difficult place for them to come and play and the tie will really come to life if we can score the first goal.

"It's also important that we don't concede but I think the fans will play a big part on Thursday night."

A lacklustre campaign for United - currently sixth in the Premier League - has seen goalkeeper David de Gea emerge as one of the club's best performers this season.

Club ambassador Pallister admitted the Spaniard has been influential this season but says he has also been impressed by Chris Smalling and Daley Blind, as well as some of United's exciting crop of young players.

"I think Chris Smalling has been outstanding this season," Pallister said.

"He's had a couple of injury problems this year but I think we saw again on Sunday that he had a very difficult tussle with Andy Carroll - who is obviously very physical - and we needed someone like Chris to stand up to try and nullify threat.

"The kids have also done really well. Marcus Rashford has had an outstanding start to his United career and I think young Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has grown in stature with every game.

"I also think Daley Blind has been really good this year. He's been moved around into a few positions this year but his understanding of the game is top-class.

"He reads the game so well, he's a terrific footballer and I think he can take a lot of pride in his performances this year."

Gary Pallister was speaking at an event launching a global partnership between Manchester United and Gulf Oil International.

Credit: Skysports.com