Ralf Rangnick may look to make two changes to the side that defeated Norwich City in Tuesday's trip to Anfield.
Facing off against quadruple-chasing Liverpool was already a daunting prospect following their 5-0 hammering of Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier this season but it has been made even harder due to the club's injury list. Rangnick will continue to be without Scott McTominay, Fred, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw and Edinson Cavani for the match.
The absence of key midfield duo Fred and McTominay is especially challenging as it leaves United without the engine room they have so often relied on in big games in recent years. Rangnick opted to play just Paul Pogba in a holding role against Norwich on Saturday and it left United's backline hopelessly exposed as they threw away a two-goal lead and came close to losing to the bottom side.
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Nemanja Matic's introduction late on helped United regain control of the match and eventually pick up a pivotal win which has blown fresh life into their top-four hopes. It's hard to see Rangnick repeating the tactic against a team with a million times more quality like Liverpool so the Serbian will likely come in from the start to play alongside Pogba in midfield, replacing Jesse Lingard, though United may still find themselves getting repeatedly overrun regardless.
United were hopeless at the back against the Canaries but Alex Telles was the biggest culprit with his woeful positioning playing its part in both goals. Diogo Dalot moved to left-back later on in the match and acquitted himself well. Rangnick may look to play the Portuguese there from the start and bring Aaron Wan-Bissaka in at right-back in order to take Telles out of the side.
With Varane out and Eric Bailly and Phil Jones not considered as realistic options, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire will almost certainly continue at the heart of the defence. With David de Gea in goal.
As chances for Lingard and Juan Mata, despite their promising displays when given minutes, are so few and far between, Rangnick will likely stick with the attack that has become his first choice. Bruno Fernandes seems undroppable despite a poor run of form and after not being hurt in a car crash on Monday will probably play.
Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga both looked bright on the weekend.
Predicted United team to face Liverpool: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Dalot; Matic, Pogba; Elanga, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo.
Update: Our predicted team was published before news of the tragic death of Cristiano Ronaldo's newborn son and, at the time of writing, there is no word on Ronaldo's availability or possible compassionate leave. All at MEN send our condolences to Ronaldo, his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez and their family.
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