Liverpool host Manchester United on Monday night, with both teams looking to get off to a good start after the international break.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are two places and three points better off than Jose Mourinho’s side, having won five of their opening seven league games.

These include impressive wins over Arsenal and Chelsea, with their only defeat coming away at Burnley back in August.

In contrast, Mourinho’s United have won four of their first seven league games, but two defeats to neighbours Manchester City and Watford tarnished what, up to then, had been a great start to the season.

The two meet on Monday night in what is sure to be a cracking match, but who in the current squads would get into a combined eleven?

Here, Shoot! pick the best starting eleven made up of Liverpool and Manchester United players…

GK – David de Gea

Simon Mignolet is always prone to an error and, although new signing Loris Karius looks like a decent prospect, he doesn’t trump United’s David de Gea.

The 25-year-old has grown into one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League in recent years, this all after a nervy start at Old Trafford when he first joined back in 2011.

Three consecutive times United’s Player of the Year, the Red Devils faithful clearly respect what he does for the team, and he’d definitely get into this side ahead of the Liverpool keepers.

RB – Nathaniel Clyne

United are struggling in the right-back department, although Antonio Valencia has made a solid start to the new season.

However, he’s not as good defensively as Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne, who has adapted to life at Anfield brilliantly since his big money move from Southampton last year.

He’s pushing Kyle Walker for the number one right-back spot with England, and deserves his spot in this combined eleven.

CB – Chris Smalling

It’s quite clear what Liverpool’s main issues are this season, and they could be issues that hinder their title challenge – they are not great at the back.

Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip are decent centre-backs, but I don’t think either of them are better than United’s Chris Smalling.

Although he took a lot of criticism in the early stages of his United career, the former Fulham man has grown into a solid and dependable defender at this level, and has been tipped to become club captain at Old Trafford in the future.

He’s one of England’s best centre-backs, and his developing partnership with Eric Bailly could turn out to be a great one for United.

CB – Eric Bailly

Like I said previously, Liverpool have struggles at the back, so I’d partner Eric Bailly with Chris Smalling in central defence.

The 22-year-old has been hugely impressive since his move from Villarreal in the summer, and he seems to have adapted brilliantly to English football.

Physically very strong and beginning to develop his authority on the pitch, his performances have exceeded what many expected of the young defender.

LB – Luke Shaw

This was a tricky one, given James Milner’s excellent form as Liverpool’s makeshift left-back, but I think a fully fit Luke Shaw should get the nod.

The young defender has been hampered by injuries since arriving at Old Trafford last year but, when he’s been on the pitch, he’s looked like the player we all saw at Southampton a few years ago.

The England international has a very bright future in the game if he remains free of injury, and makes it three United defenders in this combined eleven.

CM – Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson’s form this season has been outstanding, and he’s been duly rewarded after being named England captain in their drab 0-0 at Slovenia the other night.

His confidence is soaring in that Liverpool midfield, and the goal against Chelsea last month really illustrated how much he is relishing playing under Klopp.

He’d be an important part of this combined eleven, and may even captain the side.

CM – Adam Lallana

Ander Herrara has done well for United, but Adam Lallana is another Liverpool player who has made an excellent start to the season.

The 28-year-old has already netted three times for the Reds this season, and seems to be flourishing playing a bit further forward than Henderson in Klopp’s 4-3-3 formation.

He’s well on his way to bettering last season’s goal tally of seven, and he’d be an important player in this side alongside club teammate Henderson.

CM – Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba is beginning to grow into his second spell at Manchester United, and was particularly impressive in the draw with Stoke City two weeks ago.

The Frenchman was always going to feel the pressure of an £89 million price tag, but Mourinho’s decision to drop captain Wayne Rooney may help Pogba live up to that, given that he can play a bit further forward than before.

Although down as a central midfielder in this team, the 23-year-old will look to push further forward and help the front three.

FW – Philippe Coutinho

There are a lot of exciting forward options at both clubs, but any team in the division would benefit from having Philippe Coutinho in their side.

The Brazilian international netted a brace on the opening day at Arsenal, and has scored twice more since then to help the Reds make a great start to the season.

He is usually the focal point when Liverpool are playing well and attacking with energy and excitement – he’s nailed on for a start in this combined eleven.

FW – Zlatan Ibrahimovic

I’ve been seriously impressed with Roberto Firmino this season, but it’s difficult to look past Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the main man in this front three.

Regarded by many as one of the best strikers in the world in recent years, it didn’t take the Swede long to get his Manchester United career up and running.

Five goals in his first five matches quashed any doubts about his ability in England and, although he hasn’t scored since the defeat to neighbours City last month, he always carries a threat in the final third.

With Pogba, Lallana, and Coutinho in the team, he’d get ample opportunities to score.

FW – Sadio Mane

This was another tricky decision, with Marcus Rashford playing well and Anthony Martial proving what he can do in English football with a great season last time out, but Sadio Mane provides that spark which would be invaluable in this team.

The 24-year-old made a big money move to Anfield in the summer, but any concerns that he might not replicate the form he showed at Southampton on Merseyside have soon been put to bed.

He’s been excellent as part of a Liverpool team that are lethal going forward, and his directness and creativity would be hugely beneficial in this eleven.