Paul Pogba will replace Marcus Rashford while Bruno Fernandes should be fit to start when Manchester United face Liverpool on Sunday.
Manchester United will be desperate to end their rut in domestic football when they play hosts to Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday evening. And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been sweating over the fitness of some key players heading into his side’s latest fixture.
Marcus Rashford sustained a dead leg while Fred and Bruno Fernandes picked up knocks in the midweek UEFA Champions League meeting with Atalanta. Apart from the trio, Raphael Varane is the only confirmed absentee is Raphael Varane, who continues to be sidelined with a groin injury.
Speaking to the Manchester United media, Solskjaer spoke of the knocks sustained in the midweek tie but did not offer much in way of definitive updates, saying, “We’ve had some knocks, which you expect during games. That’s good, that we get some players giving everything, and then we just have to assess them.”
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“I’m not going to rule anyone out from Sunday but I’m not sure if everyone’s going to be fit. Anthony is still working on his fitness, hopefully he’s come through today and let’s see how he is tomorrow. Bruno might be a doubt but he’s doing everything he can to be fit. I can’t say if Fred will be fit or not. We might have the whole squad fit but may miss two or three. We’ll see.”
Solskjaer also provided an update on Varane in a conversation with the Manchester United media, stating, “He’s working hard. As I said, it’s hard to put a time limit on players that you don’t really know, but he’s been on the grass and who knows?”
With Varane still on the sidelines, Victor Lindelof will continue at the heart of the Manchester United defence alongside Harry Maguire. As for the two full-backs, there is no looking past Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka while David de Gea is a certainty in goal.
Up ahead in midfield, Fred, provided he is fit, is an automatic pick alongside Scott McTominay in the double pivot in a game of such magnitude, when Manchester United will look to put men behind the ball.
Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes ought to make it to the starting lineup as well, reprising his usual no. 10 role. Mason Greenwood and Cristiano Ronaldo pick themselves as well, with the former set to start on the right flank while Ronaldo will lead the line for Manchester United against Liverpool. The final spot in attack could go to Paul Pogba, keeping Rashford’s issue in mind.
Predicted Manchester United XI: de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes, Pogba; Ronaldo
I want Fred to start before Paul Pogba