Marcus Rashford is likely to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, while Fred and Raphael Varane remain unavailable for Manchester United against Liverpool.
Manchester United will be aiming to derail Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge when the two teams face off against each other at Anfield on Tuesday night. Building up to the game, manager Ralf Rangnick confirmed that he has no fresh injury concerns following the 3-2 win over Norwich City at the weekend.
However, Manchester United remain without five players for the trip to Anfield. Raphael Varane, Scott McTominay, Edinson Cavani and Luke Shaw have missed the last two matches and are yet to return. Meanwhile, Fred picked up an injury in the defeat to Everton and remains unavailable.
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“Rapha [Varane] didn’t train with the team. He was on the pitch with one of our rehab coaches. But with regard to injured players, we have the same situation that we had in the last two games,” Rangnick said in his pre-match presser.
With Varane still sidelined, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire are likely to continue as the starting centre-backs for Manchester United. But after a poor display against Norwich, they will need to pull up their socks when they face Liverpool. Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles should continue as the full-backs, with David de Gea guarding the Red Devils’ goal.
Paul Pogba had an indifferent game against Norwich and was booed off by the fans. But due to the injuries to Fred and McTominay, the Frenchman is likely to continue in the starting XI. However, he should receive more defensive support against Liverpool on Tuesday, with Nemanja Matic in line to be drafted into the side.
Manchester United had a major scare with regard to Bruno Fernandes after he was involved in a car accident on Monday. However, Rangnick confirmed that the playmaker had come out unscathed from the incident and trained normally.
“The accident happened on the way to Carrington. But as far as I know, nobody was injured. He trained with the team and he was okay, and that’s why I think he will also be okay for tomorrow,” he said. Bruno Fernandes should occupy the third midfield slot for Manchester United alongside Pogba and Matic.
Last game’s hat-trick hero Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to be unavailable after the tragic passing of his newborn son. Marcus Rashford is the only centre-forward option Rangnick has at his disposal, with Cavani also ruled out. So, the England star may feature from kickoff at Anfield in the No. 9 role. Anthony Elanga and Jadon Sancho ought to flank the Manchester United academy graduate.
Manchester United Predicted XI: De Gea, Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Telles, Fernandes, Matic, Pogba, Elanga, Rashford, Sancho
