How might the Reds line up against the league champions? (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Manchester United take on Anfield in their return to Premier League action this Sunday.
In the build-up to the crunch clash between the two arch-rivals, both managers have been navigating injury concerns.
For example, Ruben Amorim is confirmed to be without Lisandro Martinez, who has yet to make his return from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in February.
Ayden Heaven sustained a setback on international duty with England U20S, although it’s highly unlikely he’d have featured in the game anyway.
There is hope Noussair Mazraoui could be deemed fit to make the trip, with the full-back’s last outing coming in the 2-1 win over Chelsea on September 20.
United team news ahead of Liverpool
Even though other members of the squad aren’t injured, their international commitments may have dampened their chances of starting on Merseyside.
Casemiro travelled to South Korea and Japan in the last fortnight, playing the full 90 minutes in each of Brazil’s friendlies. The last time he was in action for his nation in South America, he dropped to the bench for the subsequent fixture. Manuel Ugarte took his place.
Alongside the veteran midfielder on national duty was Matheus Cunha. He played 80 minutes and registered an assist during Brazil’s win over South Korea and was granted a 33-minute cameo by Carlo Ancelotti four days later.
The Reds who were active over the break were awarded an extra day of rest, meaning they were not involved in Thursday’s training session at Carrington.
Predicted United line-up
Samuel Luckhurst anticipates Cunha ‘could remain on the bench’ after being rotated for United’s win over Sunderland last time out. He has been given the nod four times already this term and has been a substitute twice, whilst he missed the Manchester derby entirely with a hamstring complaint.
Predicted XI: Lammens, Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw, Amad, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dalot, Mbeumo, Mount, Sesko.
