Premier League preview: Manchester United v Liverpool
Manchester United occupy second spot in the Premier League, two points ahead of third placed Liverpool.
With Manchester City running away with the title, the battle for fourth place remains the focus of the surrounding teams.
Tottenham sit in fourth spot, while Chelsea and Arsenal are in fifth and sixth respectively.
But with the Blues and the Gunners dropping points and displaying inconsistent form of late, Nicholas feels the pressure has eased off Mourinho slightly.
He will look at the league table and think if they can keep Liverpool behind them, with the problems Chelsea and Arsenal have, then they get second place.
Charlie Nicholas
Nicholas believes Mourinho knows he does not have to go for maximum points today as his priority is to ensure Liverpool don’t leapfrog them in the table.
“Will Jose open up? No he will not,” the former Arsenal player told Sky Sports.
“He will look at the league table and think if they can keep Liverpool behind them, with the problems Chelsea and Arsenal have, then they get second place.
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Charlie Nicholas has not been impressed with Alexis Sanchez since he joined from Arsenal
“If the game becomes open then Liverpool will win and Jose knows that, and doesn't like it.
“United are also confused because Alexis Sanchez, who seems to think he is still at Arsenal with the way he is playing, is losing the ball far too often and it has hurt their fluency.
“I think Mourinho will play to stifle the Liverpool front three and play for a draw.
“I thought it was strange playing Firmino in midweek as he looks tired now and while he might start nice and sharp, I think his impact will have lessened. Therefore the longer the game goes on the more it suits United.”