Manchester United will be looking to secure their spot in next season’s Champions League when they face rivals Liverpool on Sunday at 3:30pm.
The Red Devils need just two points from their final four Premier League games to secure a top-five finish and route back to Europe’s top table.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Liverpool
Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Diallo; Sesko.
Michael Carrick’s men did suffer a bit of a wobble recently but they have bounced back with consecutive league wins. It leaves them three points clear of bitter rivals Liverpool in fourth, ahead of this crunch clash.
But Man Utd will be wary of their recent record in this fixture. The Red Devils have won just three of their last 19 Premier League games against Liverpool. They did, however, beat the Reds at Anfield earlier this season.
Man Utd team news vs Liverpool
Man Utd are in a good position when it comes to injuries, which has certainly helped in their top-five push. But the Red Devils do still have a couple of doubts ahead of the weekend.
Matheus Cunha missed the win over Brentford on Monday with a hip problem. He should be available for the visit of Liverpool but may not be able to start. Luke Shaw is also a doubt through injury, but should be okay to feature.
Lisandro Martinez will be missing from the Man Utd defence, though. The Argentine serves the final game of his three-match suspension for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair. Matthijs de Ligt is also out through injury.
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So Carrick may actually name an unchanged XI from the one that started against Brentford. Should Shaw be fit, he’ll start at left-back with Diogo Dalot on the right. Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven will continue as the centre-back pairing with Senne Lammens behind him.
Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro have built up a very good partnership as Man Utd’s two holding midfielders and will continue here. Mainoo’s performances and extended gametime have seen the Englishman sign a new contract at Old Trafford.
If Cunha isn’t available to start, Amad Diallo should keep his spot in the XI on the left. Bryan Mbeumo will start on the right, with Bruno Fernandes in the No.10. Benjamin Sesko has found favour leading the line again, especially with Mbeumo needed in midfield.
Man Utd’s evolution under Michael Carrick
When Carrick replaced Ruben Amorm, Man Utd looked in disarray. But the Englishman has turned things around and has definitely staked his claim for the permanent club.
Since Carrick’s first Premier League game in charge, Man Utd have won 29 points from 13 matches. It’s more than any other team in the division during that run. Carrick has won nine of his 13 Premier League matches, with just two draws and two defeats. He’s already beaten Amorim’s league win tally for the season, with just eight in his 20 matches in charge.
Old Trafford has been a fortress across the season too (with a few cracks in the wall). Man Utd have won the third-most points at home in the Premier League this season, with 36. It’s already 12 points more than they managed at Old Trafford last season. The Red Devils have won six of their last seven league games at Old Trafford, losing once.
But they will be wary of Liverpool’s recent Old Trafford record. Liverpool have won three of their last five away league trips to Man Utd, with the Red Devils only managing one victory.