Man Utd Able To Enjoy Home Comforts Ahead Of Liverpool Clash At Anfield

Manchester United will be able to stay and train at their usual base ahead of Thursday’s Europa League game away at Liverpool, after being awarded special dispensation by UEFA.

Under current UEFA rules the visiting side in European competitions must stay within 27 miles of the host’s stadium the day before a game.

The United squad usually stays at an hotel in Salford ahead of a domestic away match.

However, the 34-mile distance to Anfield meant the club faced the prospect of having to travel to Liverpool a day early ahead of the last-16 first-leg tie.

United’s training complex, Carrington, is also seven miles outside the usual distance permitted by UEFA.

However, following an appeal from United, UEFA has now granted special dispensation allowing the club to remain in Manchester on Wednesday night.

Louis van Gaal’s squad is expected to train as usual at Carrington on Wednesday morning and travel to Liverpool the following day.

Thursday’s match will be the first time the two English clubs have met in European football. Liverpool are expected to stay in Manchester the day before next week’s second leg.

SKYSPORTS