Manchester United predicted XI and team news vs Liverpool: Cavani to start, Martial doubtful

Manchester United head to Anfield to take on their great rivals Liverpool on Sunday in a t0p-of-the-table clash.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side knocked the champions off top spot on Tuesday with a 1-0 win at Burnley.

The victory at Turf Moor not only extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches in the Premier League, but it was their ninth victory in that time.

Paul Pogba scored United’s winner at Burnley.

Although Liverpool haven’t lost a top-flight match at home since April 2017, United will head there in confident mood having won seven and drawn one of their eight games away from Old Trafford this term.

Solskjaer will also be aware of the fact that his team will be facing a Reds side not in the best of form after two draws and a defeat from their last three league matches.

The Norwegian boss has rotated his squad on a regular basis this season and it’s again unlikely that the same team which started at Turf Moor will line-up again at Anfield.

So which players will the United boss select to for the biggest Premier League match of the season so far?

Here we predict the Manchester United starting XI to take on Liverpool…

Goalkeeper:

Dean Henderson is doing his best to pile the pressure on David De Gea but it seems as though the Englishman will have to settle for mostly cup appearances this term. De Gea will once again take his spot in goal for this clash as he aims to secure back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League in his 426th game for the club.

Defenders:

Despite the return of Victor Lindelof to the squad, Eric Bailly‘s performances alongside captain Harry Maguire should cement their selection at Anfield. Bailly’s pace has been a real asset in the centre of defence and the Ivorian was excellent once again in the win at Burnley. Although Solskjaer usually rotates at left-back, Luke Shaw tends to play over Alex Telles in the ‘bigger’ games so should line up again. Meanwhile, undisputed first-choice right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set for his 70th United appearance.

Midfielders:

Nemanja Matic, who’s a fitness doubt for the Liverpool game, and Paul Pogba put in outstanding performances at Turf Moor on Tuesday with the latter proving to be the match winner. However, although the Frenchman could keep his place it’s likely to be in a more advanced position with the more defensive minded duo of Fred and Scott McTominay being sent into battle. Ahead of those two will undoubtedly be Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese playmaker had a quiet game by his standards at Burnley but will be looking to add to his 11 goals and seven assists in the biggest game of all.

Forwards:

Edinson Cavani started at Burnley following a three-game ban and could be called upon once again as Anthony Martial is a doubt with a thigh injury. This means that Paul Pogba, who played central midfield at Burnley, could be used in a left-attacking role with Marcus Rashford, who has three goals in six matches against Liverpool, starting on the right hand side. In other news, Amad Diallo could be included in the squad for the first time since his big move from Atalanta.

Predicted Manchester United XI vs Burnley: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay, Fernandes; Rashford, Pogba, Cavani.