Man Utd predicted lineup vs Liverpool today - Premier League
- Man Utd again looking to bounce back after disheartening defeat to Chelsea
- Erik ten Hag still without a number of key first-team stars
- Hopes of Champions League qualification hanging by a thread
After a rather emphatic embarrassment on Thursday night, Erik ten Hag and his Manchester United squad must get back on the horse for Sunday's clash with Premier League title contenders Liverpool at Old Trafford.
A poor start and a dreadful climax proved to be the Red Devils' undoing as they slipped to a stunning 4-3 defeat to Chelsea, leaving them nine points behind fifth-place Tottenham with eight games to play.
With a large group of players sidelined by injury, Ten Hag will have to mastermind a display akin to United's FA Cup beating of the Reds last month to inject some fresh life into their campaign.
Here's the starting XI he could pick to put a spanner in Liverpool's title bid.
Manchester United predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
GK: Andre Onana - Could only muster a flaky response to Conor Gallagher's strike and was then beaten three times by Cole Palmer.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka - Made three tackles and four interceptions on Thursday night but only completed 74% of his passes, the lowest among the defenders.
CB: Harry Maguire - Saw two of his centre-back partners limp off with injuries and couldn't establish enough calm without them to get United over the line. Is still standing, however, and Ten Hag has few others to turn to.
CB: Willy Kambwala - Whether Raphael Varane or Jonny Evans will be fit enough for the weekend remains uncertain, while Lisandro Martinez might not be available until May. That could hand 19-year-old Kambwala just his second league start of the season.
LB: Diogo Dalot - Bagged an assist and gave away a penalty in a tough evening at Stamford Bridge. Is one of few United players approaching the end of the season with an enhanced reputation.
CM: Scott McTominay - Casemiro seemed to take a knock and could miss out, which might be for the best having shown next to none of his famed defensive nous at Chelsea. McTominay was one of the scorers in United's 4-3 FA Cup win over Liverpool.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo - On the end of a few over-the-top challenges on Thursday night and was somewhat wayward on the ball. However, to be performing well in such a dysfunctional team is still impressive.
RW: Antony - Like Dalot, Antony gave away a penalty but also produced a sublime assist which looked to have helped United win the game before Palmer's 100th and 101st-minute goals.
AM: Bruno Fernandes - Lovely header dragged United back on level terms. Was his fifth league goal of the season and still needs four more to overtake his previous low of eight for a single campaign, achieved in both 2019/20 and 2022/23.
LW: Alejandro Garnacho - Somehow ended up on the losing side despite scoring twice, joining United's joint-top scorers Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay on seven league goals this season.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund - In a match that contained 47 shots at goal, only one of those was taken by Man Utd's leading striker. Ten Hag must figure out how to get Hojlund involved more often, with the Dane now goalless in three games.