Manchester United: Last-Minute Team News and Potential Starting XI vs. Liverpool

Few rivalries exist in the English Premier League that match the animosity that Manchester United and Liverpool feel for each other, and when the two sides clash at Anfield this Saturday, there's bound to be a lot of passion and emotion on the line.

What's at stake is far more than three competition points—though both sides desperately need the points for different reasons. Pride, satisfaction and the ultimate bragging rights are all at stake in this one, making it just that little bit more important than it already was.

The Red Devils picked up a 1-0 victory over Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League during the week, with a few changes made to the side that thumped Wigan Athletic 4-0 in the Premier League the weekend before.

What team can we expect to see take the pitch against Liverpool? Read on to see all the latest team news, the players that are both in and out of this one as well as a potential starting side for their huge match against the Reds at Anfield.

Wayne Rooney

The biggest question surrounding the Red Devils' lineup this week is regarding whether England international and star striker Wayne Rooney would be included, having recovered from his leg gash earlier in the Premier League season.

Unfortunately for United, the answer to that question is no, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirming that Rooney would miss this match but would be available for selection next week when the Red Devils take on Tottenham Hotspur.

Per ESPN Soccernet:

"

I know there were reports on Wayne Rooney being available [this weekend] but that's not the case. He is not far away, possibly the following week he will be fine. He is doing a lot of great training. He has done the hard work and now he is back into football training...

"

Goalkeeper: David de Gea or Anders Lindergaard?

With two solid goalkeeping options in David de Gea and Anders Lindergaard, it's become almost a guessing competition every week as to who will start in goals for United, with Ferguson stating during the week that he has no problems alternating the two when needed.

De Gea played mid-week against Galatasaray, and I think the Spanish international will start again in this one, with his quick reflexes perhaps giving him the upper hand in what is bound to be a high-pressure affair.

He isn't as solid on aerial balls—a well-documented weakness of De Gea's—but with the loan sale of Andy Carroll to West Ham, Liverpool do not have the aerial target in the box that they once had and may not play as many crosses as a result.

I'd say De Gea starts against Liverpool.

Red Devils' Defense

Expect Rio Ferdinand to be included back into the starting side after being given the match off against Galatasaray during the week by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferdinand has been strong in defense so far this year and, with long-term injuries to Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, will need to play plenty of minutes throughout the early part of the year. 

I'd also be tempted to include Alexander Buttner back into the Red Devils' starting side after his impressive debut against Wigan Athletic last week. The former Eredivisie player contributed greatly to United's attack with a goal and assist, but perhaps even more noteworthy was his excellent defense work—shutting down everything that came down the left flank.

He'll likely be marking Fabio Borini for most of the match, and his ability to shut down the Reds' transfer signing could have a huge impact on the final result of this one.

Sorry to all the Evra vs. Suarez fans, but I don't think we'll see that one come to fruition again—not that it should be a big deal anyway.

Nemanja Vidic and Rafael da Silva are both obvious inclusions also.

Central Midfield

After making an inspiring appearance during the week, Darren Fletcher is likely to be unused against Liverpool in order to start him against Newcastle on Wednesday next week and then potentially against Tottenham next weekend (per ESPN).

That would leave Michael Carrick—who netted the only goal in United's Champions League opener—and either Tom Cleverley or Paul Scholes in central midfield for United.

And despite many media outlets such as Goal and The Telegraph predicting that Scholes will start alongside Carrick, I wouldn't be surprised to see Cleverley line up—especially given his comments during the week via The Daily Mail:

"

It’s fair to say this would be the biggest game I’ve played in for United if I’m involved. But it’s not just a big game for me, it’s a big game for the club and of course there’s a lot of focus on this particular match. It’s important we maintain that momentum. It’s a massive game for the team.

I think form goes out of the window in these fixtures. It’s more like a one-off game. They’re great occasions.

Growing up as a United fan, I’ve watched about 20 or 30 of these games, so I know exactly what this fixture means to everybody associated with the club. I just hope we can get the right result.

"

Attacking Midfield

Antonio Valencia will assume his place out on the right flank for United; as will Shinji Kagawa in the central part of the field, but what will happen out on the left is an interesting dilemma for Ferguson and the Manchester club.

Anderson and Ryan Giggs were both unused substitutes in the win against Galatasaray and could provide another alternative to sending Nani out on the left wing, given that Ashley Young is likely still two weeks away from returning for United (per ESPN).

The Portuguese international Nani is the likely choice on the left, but he has been in temperamental form of late and, heading into an all-important fixture, might not be the most confidence-boosting decision by Ferguson for United fans.

Having said that, I expect Nani to start against Liverpool—he is world-class and has shown that he can step up in big games, which is exactly what playing at Anfield is.

Striker

The obvious inclusion up front for United is Robin van Persie, who has been arguably the club's best player through the first four Premier League matches.

The Dutch international has relished the opportunity leading the attack in the absence of Wayne Rooney and will no doubt leave an impression on this match. 

Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez could both be inclusions throughout the second half as substitutes depending on how the match is progressing.

Potential Starting XI

Given the information that we have available and the comments made above, I've predicted a Manchester United starting side for their clash against Liverpool.

Are there any chances that you would make or players that you would include or exclude for the Red Devils' crucial away clash?

Comment below or hit me up on Twitter:  Follow @dantalintyre