All in all then, this is set up perfectly for a Manchester United victory, a Jose Mourinho victory.
On the back foot with his team and his captain short of real form. Under pressure enough to make unjust comments about the referee and his opposite number Jurgen Klopp.
Hearing the whispers that he may no longer be everyone's idea of the perfect modern Premier League coach.
This is classic Mourinho territory. With his back against the wall and the hand grenades already tossed, all the United manager needs now is the kind of performance from his team that has so typified his genius over the years.