Manchester United host arch-rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday in a crunch Premier League fixture, with both teams needing points for their respective goals.
Erik ten Hag’s men beat the Reds 4-3 in an FA Cup classic last month and entered the international break on a high. Since returning from the break, however, they have drawn 1-1 with Brentford away and lost 4-3 to Chelsea in a thriller at Stamford Bridge in midweek. This has seen the Red Devils gradually drift away from the European spot.
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp’s side head into the weekend top of the Premier League, having beaten Sheffield United 3-1 at Anfield on Thursday evening. With just eight games remaining, the Merseyside giants cannot afford to drop points if they are to pip Manchester City and Arsenal to the Premier League crown and give a fitting farewell to Klopp.
Manchester United vs Liverpool—Team News
Manchester United
Defensive injuries remain a serious concern for Manchester United with both Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane deemed doubtful after being substituted through injury against Chelsea. There are question marks over Casemiro’s fitness too, as the Brazilian international was forced off in the second half at Stamford Bridge and replaced by Scott McTominay.
Ten Hag has a selection dilemma, and if both Varane and Evans are not passed fit to start, young Willy Kambwala will partner Harry Maguire at the heart of Man United’s defence. Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka should take up the full-back spots, with Andre Onana a consistent fixture in goal.
Should Casemiro miss out, Scott McTominay is the likely candidate to get the nod in the engine room. The Scotsman may line up alongside Kobbie Mainoo, but Mason Mount is pushing for a start after back-to-back promising cameos since returning from injury. Bruno Fernandes is an obvious pick for the No.10 role, with Christian Eriksen and Sofyan Amrabat set for roles on the bench again.
Ten Hag may be tempted to start Antony after his productive display against Chelsea. If he persists with the Brazilian on the right wing, Alejandro Garnacho could take up the spot on the opposite flank and look to build on his impressive brace in midweek. Rasmus Hojlund should lead the attack for the hosts, with Marcus Rashford hoping to make an impact off the bench.
Liverpool
Wataru Endo is expected to be fit after sitting out Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Sheffield United, Jurgen Klopp confirmed. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota have returned to team training but the game against Man United comes too soon for them.
Klopp could make a few changes to the side that beat Sheffield United 3-1 at Anfield. Andrew Robertson could be recalled into the starting XI after coming on a substitute. He’d take the left-back spot, with Joe Gomez switching to right-back. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate should continue their centre-back pairing in front of goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Wataru Endo was rested on Thursday and should be fit and fresh to face Man United. The Japanese will add a layer of protection to the Liverpool backline. He will be joined by Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister in the engine room.
There is no looking past Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz in the Liverpool attack. The trio will look to exploit Man United’s defensive vulnerabilities and punish them ruthlessly. The likes of Harvey Elliot, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo could come off the bench to impact the game.
Manchester United vs Liverpool—Predicted Lineups
Predicted Manchester United Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Kambwala, Maguire, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3): Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Manchester United vs Liverpool—Key Players
Manchester United—Alejandro Garnacho
While it was a tough defeat to swallow for Man United at Stamford Bridge, Alejandro Garnacho turned in yet another fantastic display. He pounced on Moises Caicedo’s misplaced pass and halved the deficit with a fine left-footed finish and was brave to head home the third against Chelsea, which was primed to be the winner before things fell apart in stoppage time for Ten Hag’s side. High in confidence following a brace, the young Argentinean has the qualities to hurt Liverpool on Sunday.
Liverpool—Mohamed Salah
While Darwin Nunez is Liverpool’s most in-form player, it is difficult to look past Mohamed Salah. The forward has scored more goals against Man United than he has against any other side (13 goals in 14 appearances). In that time, he has also assisted four times. For the record the Egyptian forward has against Liverpool’s fiercest rivals, it makes sense why Salah could be decisive for the visitors at Old Trafford.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
