Noussair Mazraoui should be fit again for Sunday’s classico between Manchester United and Liverpool and could be a surprise starter.
Head coach Ruben Amorim takes his side to Anfield knowing that there will be a hostile reception and that they will face a wounded lion. Liverpool have lost three matches in succession, to Crystal Palace and Chelsea in the Premier League and Galatasaray in the Champions League.
The boss might decide that their opponents’ wobble calls for United to go on the offensive and play an attacking side, but he is unlikely to throw caution to the wind.
Defence
One risk we do think Amorim will take is to stick with newcomer Senne Lammens in goal. He played well in his debut against Sunderland and with the shaky form of Altay Bayindir, it seems worth the gamble to keep the Belgian between the sticks.
Having started the season with Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw as his preferred back three, Amorim flirted with Harry Maguire’s inclusion for a couple of matches at Yoro’s expense, but it did not go well and he restored the originals against Sunderland. It’s likely he will stick with those three – Yoro, De Ligt and Shaw, on Sunday.
Mazraoui is another option for the back three. Ayden Heaven has not seen much football and picked up a knock on international duty, so we don’t expect him to feature. Lisandro Martinez is still working his way back to fitness after a long layoff.
Wing Backs and Midfield
We’d like to see Amad and Patrick Dorgu at wing back, but we expect Amorim to err on the side of caution. Diogo Dalot will probably replace one of the young fly boys, and Mazraoui may even replace the other.
Bruno Fernandes will start in central midfield alongside Casemiro. Kobbie Mainoo and Manu Ugarte are options but highly unlikely to start.
Forwards
Amorim surprised everyone against Sunderland by leaving out new signing Matheus Cunha, bringing in Mason Mount. The Englishman put in a great performance and will almost certainly keep his place. His work ethic will be seen as essential against a top side.
It may well be that Cunha is restored to the starting lineup, though, with Benjamin Sesko returning to the bench. The Slovenian failed to score on international duty while Cunha shone on his. Cunha’s greater Premier League experience could tip the balance in his favour for this big game.
Bryan Mbeumo should start on the right side of the attack.
Josh Zirkzee is another option, as is Amad if he is not playing at wing back.
Here, then, is our predicted XI for Sunday’s 4.30pm kick-off:
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and two magazines and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy first saw United live in 1971, watching George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, before becoming a League Match ticket book holder from 1975/76 and a writer since 1995. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
