Man Utd predicted lineup vs Liverpool - Premier League
- Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes is suspended for the trip to Anfield
- Harry Maguire has been ruled out but Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford ready to play
- Young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo tipped to start in a change of shape
By Euan Burns
Manchester United face one of their toughest and most nerve-wracking tests of the season on Sunday when they head to Anfield where Liverpool await them.
Erik ten Hag's side have slipped back into poor form after a promising set of results in November. The 3-0 loss to Bournemouth was followed by a defeat against Bayern Munich that saw the Red Devils drop out of Europe entirely.
Recent trips to Anfield have been far from enjoyable for Man Utd fans and with Jurgen Klopp's side sitting top in the Premier League, this one may not be any different, especially considering the long list of absentees.
Here's the team Ten Hag may choose as Man Utd prepare to take on Liverpool in the Premier League.
Manchester United predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-3-3)
GK: Andre Onana - If there was a game in which Onana would want to avoid dropping a clanger, it would be this one. It would not be forgotten.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka - There are many instances of Man Utd games against big sides where Wan-Bissaka has excelled. He seems to revel in that backs-to-the-wall mentality they often need in huge fixtures.
CB: Raphael Varane - Seems destined for the exit door either in January or the summer, but Man Utd looked a bit sturdier with Varane back in the team against Bayern Munich.
CB: Jonny Evans - With Harry Maguire confirmed to miss out, Evans will face Liverpool as a Man Utd player for the first time since December 2014. He will be looking forward to this, even if it will be a very tough afternoon.
LB: Luke Shaw - Erik ten Hag has confirmed England international Shaw is fit, which is a massive boost considering United have often looked much weaker whenever right-back Diogo Dalot has had to play on the left.
CM: Scott McTominay - It would be very on-brand for new-found goalscorer McTominay to net here. Unfortunately, a goal for Man Utd may well be met by three of four from Liverpool.
CM: Sofyan Amrabat - The Moroccan is enjoying an extended run in the team with Casemiro out. He is starting to impress fans and a big performance here would be invaluable for his reputation.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo - Bruno Fernandes is suspended so Ten Hag is expected to use a 4-3-3 formation. There are basically no other fit midfielders at the club so 18-year-old Mainoo will face the biggest test of his career so far.
RW: Antony - Considering the way he started lashing out at the end of the defeat to Manchester City in October, it may be in everyone's interest for Antony to be off the pitch in the final stages if Liverpool again have a handsome lead.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund - We say it each week; it's time for that first Premier League goal. This would be a great time to get it but opposition centre-backs Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk will not make it easy for Hojlund.
LW: Marcus Rashford - Perhaps Rashford has been saving his goals up for this game? He has scored against Liverpool before and would love to do it again here.
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