Ruben Amorim must make tweaks to his starting XI (Image: Getty)
It’s been a difficult start for at – 11 games, four wins, one draw, six defeats. There has been one major highlight though, the last month.
Against the odds, United’s late comeback – with two goals in two minutes – secured a famous win at the Etihad. Now United go chasing an even more unlikely result at Anfield against .
United go to Merseyside on the back of four successive defeats across all competitions since beating City. And it is very clear the Red Devils must tweak their starting eleven from the one that lost on Monday night.
Amorim took just 33 minutes , with Kobbie Mainoo replacing Joshua Zirkzee. And Zirkzee is not the only player who the manager needs to take out of the line-up for the showdown with …
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Joshua Zirkzee
Zirkzee’s United career is all but over after his withdrawal was met with cheers against . It would be a huge surprise were he to start this next match.
He isn’t what United need at Anfield. Through the middle they require a player more like , who will be tasked with holding the ball up for counter-attacks and running the channels.
In the two positions behind the striker, they need players who are more direct than Zirzkee. Alejandro Garnacho is therefore the best candidate to replace Zirkzee.
Casemiro cannot start for Manchester United at Anfield (Image: GETTY)
Casemiro
Another player whose time at Old Trafford is expiring, Casemiro was far too easily bypassed by the midfield. And ‘s engine room has too much quality for him.
Manuel Ugarte has to return after serving his one-match suspension against the Magpies. His physicality will be vital against Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.
Christian Eriksen
While Eriksen, who turns 33 next month, still possesses quality on the ball, this is again a match that does not suit his declining capabilities. He was outfought by the three-man midfield and would find things just as tough at .
Mainoo should return to the XI to partner Ugarte to provide quality in possession and a more physical presence off the ball.
Christian Eriksen must be taken out of the Man United midfield at Anfield (Image: GETTY)
Noussair Mazrouai
With captain back in the team in one of the two roles behind the centre-forward, Amorim would be wise to start Garnacho on the left-hand side opposite and then Amad Diallo on the right as a wing-back.
Amad would need to take Noussair Mazrouai’s place on the right, but having the Ivorian on one side and Garnacho on the opposite flank would offer United a real threat on the counter.
Mazraoui struggled badly against and United do not need both him and Diogo Dalot in the wing-back roles. They are too defensive-minded. A more forward-thinking approach would help to ensure it is not just one-way traffic at Anfield.
‘s strongest XI vs (3-4-2-1): Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Amad, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund