Manchester United travel the short distance to Anfield to face Liverpool tomorrow with virtually no-one except the most optimistic of fans expecting them to get anything out of the game.
Despite a run of losses, head coach Ruben Amorim is adamant he won’t change his system, so we can expect a 3-4-3 formation again.
Andre Onana will be in goal.
The back three could yield a surprise. Lisandro Martinez has been struggling for form and was substituted against Newcastle on Monday, being replaced by Leny Yoro. Whilst the left side is not the Frenchman’s natural position, United did look more stable following his introduction.
It is therefore possible that Amorim will gamble on the youngster, with his extra burst of pace potentially important in trying to contain Mo Salah down that flank.
Harry Maguire will probably continue in the centre of the back three, with Matthijs de Ligt at right centre back. Amorim confirmed yesterday that Maguire will be staying at the club for another year, so he seems integral to his plans.
Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof are still injured.
We expect the wingbacks to remain the same, with Noussair Mazraoui on the right and Diogo Dalot on the left. Tyrell Malacia is another option but he has struggled to find his feet after a long injury layoff.
Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte both return from suspension and could form the midfield pivot, but we think Amorim will play Kobbie Mainoo alongside Ugarte and play Fernandes higher up the pitch.
Amad will probably keep his place as Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho remain unfancied by the coach and Mason Mount is injured. Antony is another option but also unlikely to be trusted to start.
Up front, unless a false nine is selected, the choice is between Rasmus Hojlund and Josh Zirkzee. Neither have been playing well, but Amorim declared the Dutchman not to be a number nine last week and pulled him off after 30 minutes playing in the 10 position against the Magpies.
It seems unlikely he will be selected in the starting XI after that fiasco.
With all that in mind, here is our predicted XI for tomorrow’s 4.30pm kick-off:
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
