Maguire dropped: predicted Man Utd line-up for Liverpool clash

Manchester United are back in action on Monday as Erik ten Hag looks to avoid three successive defeats in what has been a disastrous start to the Premier League season.

Back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Brentford have left Ten Hag with a world of bother and now, he must face rivals Liverpool as he gets his first taste of the bitter rivalry.

In addition to the frosty atmosphere that comes with this fixture, fans have planned protests against the club’s ownership. The Glazer family, majority shareholders since 2005, are coming under increasing pressure to sell the club.

On the pitch, Ten Hag has a fair few selection dilemmas. The 4-0 defeat at Brentford won’t have left many players with credit in the bank.

Earlier this week, it emerged that the United boss was giving serious consideration to dropping Maguire from the side despite the Englishman playing all 180 minutes thus far this season.

Lisandro Martinez is seemingly secure in his place and he could be partnered by Raphael Varane, with Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw on either side of the pair.

Read more: Chelsea express interest in shock swoop for Harry Maguire

United have announced that an agreement has been reached with Real Madrid over the transfer of Casemiro but the deal will not be finalised in time for him to feature on Monday night.

Instead, Ten Hag must decide whether to stick with an ambitious approach or to set his side up rigidly – similarly to how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed success against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Should he choose the latter, Scott McTominay and Fred are almost guaranteed to make up a two-man midfield to thwart Liverpool between the lines.

In the attacking areas, Ten Hag doesn’t have to luxury to pick and choose. Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford are almost certain to start.

The biggest call will be the striker position. Anthony Martial impressed on United’s pre-season tour but missed the first two games with a hamstring injury. The Frenchman is back in full training and available for the game. Cristiano Ronaldo started the game against Brentford but his future remains up in the air.

Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial

More Stories Erik ten Hag Harry Maguire Liverpool Manchester United Premier League

4 Comments

  1. Man United should not play McGuire and Shaw in the same team. Fred and McTominay are done and Fernandes hasn’t played any part of the last 30 games.
    De Gea is past his best and they sold Romero who was treated appallingly.
    I would play Heaton, Dalot, Malacia, Lindelof, Varane, Garner, Cameiro, Ericksen Garnacho, Sancho, Ronaldo

  2. Shaw, McTomminay and Rashford should not even make the bench, furthermore Bruno definitely does not deserve to start and we can I’ll afford to allow him to continue giving the ball away against Liverpool

Comments are closed