Manchester Utd vs. Liverpool: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Manchester United vs. Liverpool may not be a battle between the two teams most likely to compete for this season's Premier League title, but in many ways, it remains the biggest show in town.
The division's most storied teams play out yet another act in one of its most bitter rivalries. Both sets of supporters have among them those who know what it is like to see the other dominate English football.
The United fans who remember Liverpool's glory days are getting a little long in the tooth now. Liverpool fans will be hoping that the current malaise around Old Trafford lasts for a long time to come.
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This one plays out with the usual collection of sub-plots and intrigues that follow the two north-west giants. For United, it comes hot on the heels of the announcement that David De Gea has signed a new contract.
For both Brendan Rodgers and Louis van Gaal, it comes after an unconvincing start to the season and off the back of a defeat. United's loss away at Swansea may have stung slightly less than Liverpool's 3-0 home loss to West Ham United, but both teams will be looking to change their fortunes here.
A win, particularly an impressive one, would be huge for either manager.
Date: Saturday, 12 September
Time: 5.30 p.m. BST/12.30 p.m. ET
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK only)/NBC (U.S. only)
Live Stream: Sky Sports (UK only)/NBC (U.S. only)
Form Lines
Manchester United: WWWDWL
Liverpool: WWDL
Team News
Manchester United's early season luck with injuries looked to have continued relatively unabated, per MUTV (h/t the club website). Michael Carrick has been pronounced fit to play following his injury scare on international duty. Andreas Pereira is out, though, having picked up a knock on his travels.
Of Phil Jones' recovery, Van Gaal said: "It is going very well with him, the clot has gone. We need the permission of the specialist at the hospital but I think, next week, he will train again with us."
However, late on Friday night, stories emerged that Wayne Rooney would be absent through a hamstring injury, per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News.
Liverpool's situation is similarly complicated. The Liverpool Echo report that Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana are both doubtful, with the latter more likely to make the squad. Joe Allen and Jon Flanagan are both still injured, but "Daniel Sturridge completed his first full-contact training session on Thursday and has an outside chance of being involved."
United fans will be pleased to know that Philippe Coutinho is suspended for this one, given how important he is to Liverpool's attack.
Predicted Lineups
With Fellaini expected to start for United, per Luckhurst on Twitter, the next big question around the starting XI will be: Does David De Gea play? The answer to that one should, and probably will, be a resounding yes.
Superb in this fixture last season, and by a long way the standout 'keeper on United's books, his new contract should end any speculation around his immediate future.
He played for his country during the break, so there is no issue with match rhythm, and if you have a fit, focused and available De Gea in the squad, you must surely play him.
Elsewhere in the XI, Van Gaal has options in central midfield. Carrick's additional poise could be preferred to either Bastian Schweinsteiger or Morgan Schneiderlin, particularly the latter given his mistake against Swansea when he lost his man for their opening goal. There is also the chance Van Gaal will spring a surprise, change the side's shape and play all three.
Memphis Depay's place in the side could be under a little pressure, and it would not be a huge shock to see Ashley Young preferred for this big game. Memphis' best performances for United so far have come in the Champions League, and he has not yet adapted to Premier League rhythm. With a trip to his old club in the offing next week, Van Gaal could consider resting him.
Ander Herrera's place at No. 10 is not certain, with Marouane Fellaini able to fill in there. It would be a blow to drop Herrera so quickly after his return to the starting XI, though.
It seems unlikely that new signing Anthony Martial will be thrown into this game, given Van Gaal told MUTV (h/t the club website): "We can build him up and, at the right time, he can enter the game." The starting XI against Liverpool is probably not the "right time."
Rooney's absence makes it more likely, but a substitute appearance would seem the most probable outcome.
Coping with the concurrent losses of Henderson and Coutinho is Rodgers' biggest issue, along with the form of Dejan Lovren.
It is possible that Alberto Moreno will play in place of Joe Gomez, but the youngster has been Rodgers' go-to thus far this season. Mamadou Sakho could be selected ahead of Lovren, but after such a high-profile mistake, perhaps Rodgers will want to show faith in his ailing first-choice centre-back.
Last season's trip to Old Trafford coincided with Rodgers' decision to leave then-struggling Simon Mignolet out of the side in favour of Brad Jones. That turned out to be a disastrous choice, with Jones really struggling as he conceded three goals. Perhaps giving Lovren the chance to redeem himself is the better option.
There is a chance Rodgers could use a 4-4-2 diamond rather than the 4-3-3 displayed above. This would allow both Danny Ings and Christian Benteke to play, which could cause trouble for United's centre-backs, particularly Daley Blind, who was very effectively targeted by Swansea's attack during United's last league game.
Roberto Firmino may miss out on a starting berth given the length of his travels during the international break, but with Coutinho absent, his creativity could be vital to Liverpool.
Players to Watch
Firmino falls into the category of players to watch for Liverpool, but Benteke will occupy the attentions of United's defenders. He had plenty of joy against the Red Devils for Aston Villa last season, scoring against them home and away.
For a Rooney-less United, Fellaini's form will be crucial, as will Juan Mata's. Should Martial get a run out, all eyes will be on him.
Chris Smalling's assured performance for England in midweek was typical of his form so far this season. He will need to be on his toes here, given Benteke's presence.
Of course, De Gea's return—should it come to pass—will also be worth watching.
Key Battle
Blind versus Benteke could be the key battle from Liverpool's perspective. If they can defend deep and nullify United's attack—something plenty of teams have managed in recent times—then they could get plenty of joy from set pieces or counter-attacks.
From United's attacking perspective, their collective battle with Van Gaal's system, their own confidence and whatever Liverpool's defence can muster will be key. Fellaini and Mata should look to target Lovren or exploit any uncertainty that might come with a change in personnel if he is absent.
Odds
The odds for the game, at the time of writing, per Odds Shark are:
Manchester United Win: Evens
Draw: 5-2
Liverpool Win: 349-100
