Liverpool vs Man United: Latest team news, predicted lineup and injuries
01/01/2025 04:00 AM
An out-of-form Manchester United kick off the New Year with a tricky visit to Anfield to face Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim’s side fell to their fourth successive defeat in all competitions on Monday as they were handsomly beaten 2-0 at home by Newcastle.
The Red Devils have now won just two of their first eight league games under new boss Amorim but face no let-up this weekend when they travel to face Arne Slot’s in-form Liverpool side.
The Reds ended their 2024 with a thumping 5-0 win against West Ham and sit eight points clear at the top of the table.
One positive for United ahead of Sunday is the return of Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte after the pair missed the defeat to Newcastle through suspension.
Fernandes is likely to return to United’s front three, most likely in place of Joshua Zirkzee who suffered the ignominy of being substituted in the first half against Newcastle to boos from the Old Trafford crowd.
Ugarte, meanwhile, will likely return to the heart of midfield for one of Christian Eriksen or Casemiro.
Kobbie Mainoo, who started on the bench against Newcastle, is likely to be parachuted back into the starting lineup as well as Amorim looks for more dynamism in his central midfield partnership.
Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are likely to continue in their respectivewing-back roles, but Amorim may continue tinkering with his three-man central defence after another concerning defensive performance last time out.
Lisandro Martinez was replaced by Leny Yoro just after the hour on Monday and the young Frenchman could be given an opportunity from the start after the Argentine’s struggles.
Matthijs de Ligt returned to the starting XI having missed the last three games with illness, while Harry Maguire is expected to continue in his central role.
Elsewhere in defence, Victor Lindelof is unlikely to feature having picked up an injury against Tottenham, while Luke Shaw remains a long-term absentee having suffered a setback with his rehabilitation at the start of the month.
Mason Mount is another long-term absentee, with the midfielder not expected to return from his latest injury until at least January.
Having missed the last four matchday squads, Rashford returned to the bench against Newcastle but still appears some way from Amorim’s first-team plans given he was an unused substitute on the night.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will welcome back Dominik Szoboszlai from his suspension but while be without Joe Gomez in central defence after he picked up a hamstring injury against West Ham.
Jarell Quansah came off the bench to replace Gomez on Sunday and is likely to start next weekend as Ibrahima Konate continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury.
Predicted Man Utd XI to face Liverpool
Onana, Yoro, De Ligt, Maguire, Mazraoui, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot, Fernandes, Amad, Hojlund
Where to watch Liverpool vs Man Utd? Kick-off time and TV channel
Liverpool vs Manchester United kicks off at 4.30pm on Sunday, January 5.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the live coverage on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with a live stream available on the Sky Go app and NOW TV.
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