Predicted Manchester United lineup vs Liverpool

A place in the FA Cup semi-finals will be up for grabs on Sunday, as Manchester United pit their wits against traditional rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils edged Nottingham Forest 1-0 at City Ground to progress to the last eight of the FA Cup on February 28. They also managed to bounce back from back-to-back Premier League defeats by beating Everton 2-0 at home on Saturday afternoon.

Having made it to Wembley last year, Erik ten Hag and his squad will be hungry to go all the way this time. Still, they must first beat Liverpool, who smashed Southampton 3-0 in the fifth round and head to Old Trafford off the back of a resounding 6-1 win over Sparta Prague in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday evening.

Manchester United Team News

Manchester United have been handed a triple injury boost ahead of the FA Cup encounter against Liverpool. Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Rasmus Hojlund are all fit enough to feature on Sunday. Mason Mount has finally returned to training after months out but will be given more time to fully recover.

Unfortunately, back-up goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is unavailable for the game after picking up a muscle strain, joining Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw on the sidelines. Veteran defender Jonny Evans is a doubt with a minor problem but Tom Heaton is fit again.

Predicted Manchester United lineup vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper

Andre Onana is a permanent fixture in goal, and he will need to produce a top display to keep a clean sheet against a ruthless Liverpool attack.

Defence

Fit-again Aaron Wan-Bissaka could walk straight into the starting XI, starting at right-back in the process. His inclusion should see Diogo Dalot, one of Man United’s most consistent players this season, move to the left-back position. The full-backs must deal with Liverpool’s tricky wingers well as well as try making contributions in the final third.

Raphael Varane has also been an ever-present in defence recently, and the Frenchman’s experience and leadership qualities would be key in such a high-voltage cup fixture. As Jonny Evans is nursing a minor problem, Varane could partner Victor Lindelof, who has acted as a makeshift left-back in recent games, in central defence with Harry Maguire returning to the squad after missing the last three games due to injury.

Midfield

In midfield, there is no looking past the double pivot of Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro. The duo have formed a strong partnership since the turn of the year and are expected to retain their spots in the middle of the park.

Bruno Fernandes should provide the creative spark from the no.10 role, hoping to unlock the water-tight Liverpool defence. Christian Eriksen and Sofyan Amrabat will retain their spots on the bench again.

Attack

Scott McTominay could drop to the bench on Sunday after starting the last two games, as Ten Hag plans to field a more attacking lineup against Jurgen Klopp’s side. Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are nailed-on starters on the left and right wing, with fit-again Rasmus Hojlund leading the Man United attack.

After missing the last few games with a muscle problem, Hojlund’s return to the side is a massive boost and the Dane will be hoping to make a mark at the weekend. Antony, Eriksen, McTominay and Amrabat could be involved at some point in the exhilarating cup tie.