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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst & Tyrone Marshall & Steven Railston

How Manchester United should line up vs Liverpool in Premier League fixture

Manchester United take on Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

Liverpool won the reverse fixture at Old Trafford 5-0 back in October. That result was the ultimate humiliation for United and the score line might have reached double figures during the match, if Liverpool hadn't just toyed with the Reds after half-time.

Liverpool are in contention to win the quadruple while United have been eliminated from all cup competitions. The gulf in quality between the two rivals is obvious and United will be desperate to deliver a respectable performance against their rivals. With just six Premier League games remaining, United need to avoid defeat to keep their hopes of a top four finish alive.

ALSO READ: Glazers' support of the European Super League and how Manchester United fans have fought back.

All teams were submitted before news of the tragic death of Cristiano Ronaldo's newborn son. It has now been revealed that Ronaldo won't play at Anfield as the club allows him compassionate leave. All at MEN send our condolences to Ronaldo, his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez and their family.

Samuel Luckhurst

Alex Telles is so bad Aaron Wan-Bissaka would be preferable in the United back four. The Brazilian was appalling on Saturday and United should never have signed him so Dalot moves to left-back. Selecting centre-backs devoid of pace would be ridiculous, not that anyone is expecting Eric Bailly to start.

Jesse Lingard is the auxiliary enforcer next to Nemanja Matic. Lingard is energetic and broke into the United team under Louis van Gaal for what he did off the ball more than what he did on it. For one night only, he has to shadow Liverpool's forwards who drop off.

Paul Pogba nor Bruno Fernandes should start but one has to get picked.

Tyrone Marshall

With no change on the injury front there aren't many options available to Rangnick but some changes are essential. Telles was all over the place on Saturday and his lack of positional discipline is astonishing. If he plays he could be torn apart by Salah, to United should play Wan-Bissaka at right-back and Dalot on the left. He has played there before and has the advantage of being on his strong foot as Salah comes inside.

The adventurous midfield trio didn't work against Norwich either. Matic is a must at Anfield and Fernandes will also start. Pogba was hounded off at the weekend and in truth, Lingard deserves another start, his movement and energy could cause Liverpool some irritation.

Sancho should start and Elanga probably deserves to keep his place on the right-wing ahead of Rashford. This is a huge test for Elanga, however, and he hasn't always been diligent in doing his defensive work this season. That's not an option on Merseyside.

Steven Railston

This has the potential to get ugly and United will have to defend at their optimum level to leave Anfield without a mauling.

Considering Liverpool's genuinely world-class attacking threat, perhaps playing five at the back would be the most pragmatic approach here, but Varane's injury ultimately rules out that tactical option.

United are without Fred and McTominay, so Matic simply has to start in defensive midfield. Elanga worked hard against Norwich at the weekend and would be unfortunate to lose his place. Sancho and Ronaldo should also start.

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