Manchester United vs Liverpool Predicted XIs: Ten Hag’s £43m dilemma as Slot makes centre-back call
The 2024/25 Premier League season is well underway, and the action continues to flow thick and fast. Two of the country’s fiercest rivals lock horns this weekend at Old Trafford, as Manchester United host Liverpool in the third week of the campaign.
Ten Hag’s men opened on a strong note after Joshua Zirkzee’s late debut strike made the difference against Fulham, but a stoppage-time winner from Joao Pedro of Brighton a week later stunned the Red Devils. Conversely, Liverpool have cruised through the opening two weeks with back-to-back 2–0 triumphs, remaining one of just four sides to have won all their games so far. They head into this weekend’s fixture brimming with confidence and trust in Arne Slot’s newly-instilled philosophies.
Fans have already seen the two Dutch tacticians face off earlier this year, when the north-west giants met in the United States for their respective pre-season tours. Albeit a friendly, Arne Slot’s men ran riot in a 3-0 thumping, and he’ll be hoping to see his team do it again, but Ten Hag will be determined to restore his side’s pride and simultaneously place the season form record back on track.
Mason Mount’s replacement at half-time in favor of Zirkzee was intiailly thought to be a tactical switch but Ten Hag later revealed that the decision was amid fitness concerns. The former Chelsea man suffered a dismal debut season last term marred by injury setbacks, and this may unfortunately be another of the same lineage.
Mount joins Rasmus Hojlund, Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw in the club’s medical treatment room, with the aforementioned three all bearing long-term injuries. Scott McTominay is set to sign a deal with Italian outfit, Napoli, and it is highly likely he has already played his final minute in a Manchester United shirt.
In place of the departing Scotsman, the Red Devils are hoping to soon finalize a move for PSG’s midfield anchorman, Manuel Ugarte; there is a possibility of the Uruguayan being registered in time for the Sunday fixture, but in any case, it may be overly ambitious to expect him immediately called up for the starting side.
With Hojlund having vacated the center-forward position, it has been Bruno Fernandes trialed in his place as a makeshift false-nine. Results haven’t been as prolific as fans may have liked, particularly in comparison to when newcomer Zirkzee has been on the pitch. A goal in two off-the-bench cameos, the former Bayern Munich man should lead the team out at Old Trafford.
As such, Fernandes should return to number ten in place of Mount with Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo assuming their roles on either flank. It may be too soon for soon-to-be United midfielder, Ugarte, and Casemiro is likely to keep his spot for the time being.
A worrying lack of control of Brighton’s attacking force at the Amex last week could inspire some changes at the back, especially given the shear power Liverpool possess going forward. Matthijs de Ligt has featured twice as a substitute, but he could be in line for his full debut, with Ten Hag hoping to install the Dutch international as a first-team regular following his £43 million move from the Bavarians. Other than that, the rest of the defense should remain consistent.
