Predicted Manchester United lineup vs Liverpool

It is biggest game of the Premier League weekend, as Manchester United lock horns with bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Red Devils were beaten 2-1 by Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium last time out. Joao Pedro scored a late winner for the Seagulls to condemn Erik ten Hag and Co. to their first loss of the 2024/25 Premier League season.

The Mancunian side will be desperate to bounce back to winning ways against Liverpool, who have started the new campaign strongly with two wins in as many games and will head to Old Trafford with a lot of confidence.

Manchester United Team News

Mason Mount has been ruled out for weeks after suffering a minor hamstring problem in the first half against Brighton last weekend. The English midfielder joins Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof on the sidelines.

Rasmus Hojlund has accelerated his recovery from a hamstring injury but he won’t be available to face Liverpool, confirmed Erik ten Hag in his pre-match press conference.

Meanwhile, Manchester United completed the signing of defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte in a £42 million deal from Paris Saint-Germain. However, the club did not register the Uruguay international on time for the Liverpool game.

Predicted Manchester United lineup vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper

Andre is set to retain his spot between the sticks for Manchester United. The Cameroonian has to be at his best—with his distribution and shot-stopping—to help his team beat Liverpool on home turf.

Defence

Expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation again, Erik ten Hag is likely to hand summer signing Matthijs de Ligt his first start on Sunday. Harry Maguire should make way for De Ligt in central defence, with Lisandro Martinez retaining his spot.

With Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia sidelined, Diogo Dalot is set to continue functioning as a left-back for the home side. Summer signing Noussair Mazraoui, who assisted Amad Diallo’s goal against Brighton, should keep his place at right-back.

Midfield

Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro should look to perform their duties in a double pivot. The duo have to take control of the game from the first blow of the whistle and stop the visitors from finding gaps in midfield.

In Mount’s injury absence, Bruno Fernandes should drop to his natural No.10 role after operating as a false 9 in the first two games. His creativity, incisive passing and movement will be key in unlocking the best defence in the division thus far.

Attack

Joshua Zirkzee is in line to make his first start for the Red Devils after appearing off the bench in the previous two games. The Dutchman will lead the attack, flanked by Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo.

Alejandro Garnacho is pushing to start after his impactful cameo displays against Fulham and Brighton, but Ten Hag is expected to stick with Rashford on the left. The Argentinean, along with Antony, Christian Eriksen and Toby Collyer, could get involved at some point in the second half.