Undoubtedly the biggest game of the Premier League game week 3, Manchester United host bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday as Erik ten Hag and Co. look to bounce back to winning ways.
The Red Devils defeated Fulham 1-0 at home to start their 2024–25 Premier League campaign on a positive note. However, they were pulled back to earth after the 2-1 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
Erik ten Hag knows the stakes are always high in this electric fixture, even though it is early days in the new season. Not only will the Dutchman want to head into the first international break of the campaign on a high, but also put one over his compatriot Arne Slot, whose Liverpool side have started fantastically with back-to-back wins.
Manchester United Team News:
Manchester United have been dealt a big blow ahead of the game as Mason Mount is ruled out for weeks after suffering a slight hamstring injury during the first half of the 2-1 defeat to Brighton last weekend. The creative midfielder has joined Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, and Victor Lindelof on the sidelines.
Rasmus Hojlund has accelerated his recovery from a hamstring injury, but Erik ten Hag confirmed in his pre-match press conference that he won’t be available for Sunday’s game.
Predicted Manchester United Line Up vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1):
Goalkeeper:
Andre Onana is Man United’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, and barring any last-minute injury concerns, he is set to start against Liverpool. He will be striving hard to shut the shop as quickly as possible against Arne Slot’s men.
Defense:
Ten Hag is likely to persist with the 4-2-3-1 shape. However, he could make a change in defense, handing summer signing Matthijs de Ligt his first start of the season. If that happens, Harry Maguire is likely to be the fall guy due to the Dutch tactician’s preference of having one right-footed and another left-footed player in central defense.
As Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are still out, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are expected to continue at left-back and right-back, respectively. Considering how devastating Liverpool forwards are, the duo could spend more time defending rather than being on the front foot.
Midfield:
There is no looking past Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo in the double pivot in midfield for the hosts. The duo must look to take control of the game with their passing, understanding, and reading of the game.
Expected to operate in his natural No.10 role following Mount’s injury, Bruno Fernandes will look to deliver a captain’s performance against Man United’s bitter rivals after starting the new season slowly. Christian Eriksen and young Toby Collyer may get minutes in the second half if and when required.
Attack:
Joshua Zirkzee is in line for his first Man United start after coming on as a substitute in the last two league games. The Dutchman, who was unlucky to disallow Alejandro Garnacho’s goal against Brighton by being in an offside position last weekend, will be keen to score in back-to-back games at Old Trafford.
Garnacho is pushing for a start after his impactful cameos off the bench, but Ten Hag is likely to stick with Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo on the flanks.
