Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt will make their first starts for Manchester United against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Manchester United will be eager to return to winning ways when they welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday evening. Erik ten Hag has a new injury concern that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Mason Mount is the latest absentee after sustaining a hamstring injury. The Englishman has joined Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Victor Lindelof (toe), and Rasmus Hojlund (hamstring) on the sidelines.
However, Hojlund has stepped up his recovery and might be available after the international break. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag discussed Hojlund’s progress during his pre-match press conference, revealing that the Danish striker has returned to the training pitch.
The Manchester United manager said, “We have to see how it develops, how we can progress during the break, to get match fit. He returned on the [training] pitch but it will take a while before he is up. Everyone has seen, it [the injury] happens in the first game [of Tour 2024], so he needs also to build some fitness.”
With Hojlund still on the sidelines and Mason Mount unavailable, Joshua Zirkzee should finally make his first start for Manchester United. The Dutch striker’s position as the spearhead of the offensive department means Bruno Fernandes will return to his preferred no. 10 position.
Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo will be the two wide attackers, with Marcus Rashford dropping to the bench. As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, especially with Manuel Ugarte arriving at Old Trafford too late to be registered for this weekend’s round of fixtures.
The backline should see one change, with Matthijs de Ligt replacing Harry Maguire. The Dutch centre-back will accompany Lisandro Martinez at the heart of the defence, with Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot continuing as the two full-backs. Finally, Andre Onana will take his usual spot between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee
