Man United have been in terrible form since returning from the international break and they hit a new low this week as Chelsea beat them – courtesy of two goals deep into injury time.
However, things might go from bad to worse for Erik ten Hag’s boys because on Sunday they take on Liverpool – a team who are currently sitting at the top of the Premier League table. A few years ago this would have been an evenly-fought contest but right now, Manchester United are very much underdogs.
In their previous four league matches, Man United have conceded 109 shots and after the 4-3 loss to Chelsea on Thursday night, the Red Devils are sixth spot on the EPL table. A fifth-placed finish might be enough to play in the Champions League next season but Ten Hag’s side are nine points away from fifth-placed Tottenham.
Manchester United are undefeated in their previous two games against Liverpool and just before the international break, they knocked Klopp’s side out of the FA Cup. Having said that, the odds are heavily stacked against the home side because Man United have won just one out of their last 11 Premier League games against their arch-rivals.
Manchester United’s team news and injuries:
Man United’s injury list keeps growing long each weekend and against Chelsea, three regular starters picked up knocks.
Raphael Varane, Evans and Casemiro have all sustained some kind of injuries and all three of them are expected to miss out on Sunday. Ten Hag will be a really worried man because Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez are already ruled out for a month so if Varane and Evans do not feature on Sunday then Maguire and Kambwala will be the only fit centre-backs left in the squad.
Malacia and Luke Shaw are both out injured which means two right-backs will feature in the first XI, one of them playing out of position of course.
Casemiro’s absence is a big blow for the Man United manager but thankfully, he has backups. McTominay is the natural choice to replace the Brazilian and now Mason Mount is also available to feature alongside Kobbie Mainoo.
Antony started ahead of Rashford in midweek and the Brazilian winger had a rare good game in Man United colours. Based on his performance against Chelsea, Antony should get a start but Rashford will most likely come in the side when Liverpool come to town.
If Evans, Casemiro and Varane do not recover in time then Erik ten Hag is going to be without as many as nine first-team players and against an in-form Liverpool side this is a major setback.
Man United predicted line up vs Liverpool:
Predicted Starting XI(4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, AWB, Maguire, Kambwala; McTominay, Mainoo; Fernandes, Rashford, Garnacho; Hojlund.
