The clashes between Manchester United and Liverpool are always competitions of vital importance, but this one is arguably the best.
With Liverpool keen to kick off their season after a poor start, United are desperate for a win to calm the fans and instill some much needed optimism at the club.
After a fine pre-season, Erik ten Hag’s side looked dreadfully short after losing to Brighton and Brentford, the latter a morale-crushing 4-0 hammering against Thomas Frank’s side.
It sometimes takes time for new managers to put their mark on a team and so Ten Hag needs time to embed his philosophies into a team that has underperformed in recent seasons.
However, with supporters both angry and upset at the way United are run from top to bottom, even though they are close to signing Casemiro, a heavy defeat against rivals Liverpool is exactly the sort of thing. which could make fans crumble.
Ten Hag faces a huge week as he looks to name a team that can get a result against Jurgen Klopp’s side, but who will be chosen?
David de Gea’s performance against Brentford was nothing short of a nightmare but, luckily for him, United lack credible options between the sticks and so it looks like the Spaniard will have the chance to turn things around against the Reds.
Harry Maguire is a player who endured a difficult few years at Old Trafford, and the start of that tenure hasn’t been any better for the England international.
Manchester Evening News reports that Ten Hag are seriously considering dropping Maguire, meaning Raphael Varane could come on alongside Lisandro Martinez as centre-back.
Man United’s new signing had a tough time against Brentford, but with Ten Hag historically remaining firmly with a back four, it’s likely the ex-Ajax star will get another chance to show his stuff , with Luke Shaw and Diego Dalot set to retain their places in the rear seats.
As Fred faces a difficult afternoon against the Bees, United could benefit from the tenacity of Scott McTominay in the middle of the park, alongside Christian Eriksen who will be desperate to put things right after a bad afternoon against his former club this weekend.
In the attacking third, United really need to find a solution to cause problems for Klopp’s side.
Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho looked like shells of themselves against Brighton and Brentford but are likely to hold on in hopes of regaining some form.
Marcus Rashford began this tenure much like he finished last season, severely bereft of confidence.
As a result, Anthony Elanga could have a chance to inject such fearless and youthful energy into attack in the hope of causing Liverpool problems.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at the club also continues to be a huge distraction as it remains to be seen if he will stick around beyond the end of the month.
Despite starting against Brentford, his place could be in jeopardy with The Sun reporting that Ten Hag will hope to have Anthony Martial fit and available for the Reds clash.
He suffered a hamstring injury during pre-season but looked very lively before that, suggesting he could be ready to hit the ground running if called up against Liverpool.
Man United team will face Liverpool
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