Manchester United could be without Marcus Rashford as they make the trip to Merseyside to face an undefeated Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.
Manchester United are the only team to have stopped Liverpool from getting all three points in the Premier League so far this season. It might sound uncanny, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be looking to at least emulate their performance from the game at Old Trafford when they face Liverpool at Anfield. But, United might have to do it without in-form forward Marcus Rashford.
As far as the goalkeeping area is concerned, David de Gea is an automatic pick. So is the defence ahead of him, especially after the departure of Ashley Young. Brandon Williams is the designated first-choice left-back for now, with Luke Shaw injured. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof pick themselves in the back four.
In midfield, the options are numbered, with Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba yet to return from their respective injuries. Fred and Nemanja Matic though, have done a commendable job so far in their absence and should continue to deputise in the midfield pivot in a 4-2-3-1.
Up ahead in the front four, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has to tackle the problem that is Marcus Rashford’s potential unavailability. While the manager was unclear in the pre-match conference as to whether the forward will start, there was a clear hint that he could be rested with the view of future games that might hold more significance in the bigger picture.
Solskjaer said, “I can’t tell you now. As I said with Harry [Maguire] a few weeks ago, of course we’re going to give him the absolute amount of time to find out. We’re going to do some more checks and treatment with him today. Yesterday of course was just a recovery day anyway and some treatment for him.”
“I haven’t seen him this morning, but I’m not going to hold my breath. I would probably think that he wouldn’t be ready, but let’s see. There’s still 48 hours, more than that, so let’s see.”
With Rashford unlikely to start, we should see Anthony Martial and Daniel James feature in the front four regardless. But, Mason Greenwood could take Rashford’s place out wide, with James moving to the left wing and Greenwood coming on to the right. Andreas Pereira should be picked over Juan Mata due to the want of more pace and press from the front.
Predicted Manchester United XI: de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Williams; Matic, Fred; Greenwood, Pereira, James; Martial