Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw are fit and available to feature for Manchester United against Liverpool on Sunday.
Manchester United will be desperate to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday evening. And Erik ten Hag has greeted a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Marcus Rashford has recovered from an illness, while Luke Shaw has shrugged off a knock to be available for Sunday’s game. But Harry Maguire is unavailable after picking up a minor injury earlier this week against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.
Meanwhile, Anthony Martial remains on the sidelines due to an illness that forced him to miss the midweek European fixture. The Frenchman accompanies Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen in the treatment room.
Erik ten Hag provided a team news update during his pre-match press conference. He discussed the issues troubling Maguire, Shaw, Rashford, and Martial, informing the press about their respective statuses.
The Manchester United boss said, “Harry [Maguire], he will not be available for the coming games. But we don’t think it is for the long term. Luke Shaw, he trained this morning. So we think he is available for Sunday. Marcus Rashford. He will [be back, but] Martial not.”
With Rashford available, the Englishman should return to the starting lineup, even though he has not been at his best this season. Rashford will start on the left flank instead of Alejandro Garnacho, with Antony featuring on the right wing. Rasmus Hojlund will be the central striker for the away side.
Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes will miss Sunday’s game due to a suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the 2023/24 season. The Manchester United captain’s absence means Scott McTominay will reprise the no. 10 role. In addition, Sofyan Amrabat and Kobbie Mainoo will pair up in a defensive-minded double pivot.
As for the defensive unit, Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans should be the two centre-backs. The fit-again Shaw will feature on the left flank, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka being the right-back. Finally, Andre Onana will take his usual spot between the sticks against Liverpool.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Shaw; Amrabat, Mainoo; Antony, McTominay, Rashford; Hojlund
The heart and soul of this Man U team is Lisandro Martinez (not Bruno Fernandez)- until he returns, United will continue to be an average team.
Martinez brings the toughness and grit that is lacking and is needed during the close games to overcome obstacles. Kinda like Roy Keane did back in the prosperous times