- Manchester United face Liverpool on Sunday (May 3)
- A joint XI includes Bruno Fernandes and Dominik Szoboszlai
- No Mohamed Salah or Casemiro
Manchester United host Liverpool in a huge encounter on Sunday, knowing that a victory over Arne Slot’s men will seal a return to UEFA Champions League football. Three points will also help strengthen the Red Devils’ grip on third place and the likelihood of finishing above their arch-rivals.
This fixture is one of the most-watched games of football in the world and viewers are often rewarded with Hollywood-esque classics. But they also get to watch some of the best Premier League players collide.
That said, United fans will be relieved to hear that Mohamed Salah won’t be available for tomorrow’s game. The Egyptian is sidelined and can’t add to his astonishing record against us.
Salah’s best days are behind him, and as such, he doesn’t make Read Man Utd‘s joint XI, including players from both teams. He is one of several big names missing, and it’s bound to stir up a debate.
Goalkeeper – Senne Lammens
If we were judging this on their careers, it’s obviously Alisson Becker between the sticks. But it could be argued that there hasn’t been a better signing this season than United’s £18.1m acquisition of Senne Lammens.
The Belgian goalkeeper had quite an easy job of displacing Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir as the Red Devils’ number one. He hasn’t just done that; he’s been one of the best-performing shot-stoppers in the top flight.
Lammens has enjoyed a better season than Alisson, who is unavailable for tomorrow’s game due to a hamstring injury. The 23-year-old plays like he’s been at Old Trafford for years and has kept six clean sheets in 28 league games.
Right-Back: Diogo Dalot
Diogo Dalot has been the biggest victim of the Ruben Amorim era in terms of his reputation. Dismal performances at wing-back have led many to forget he’s actually been a solid right-back for United.
The Portuguese full-back has gone under the radar since Carrick took charge. He was excellent against Chelsea, completely pocketing Alejandro Garnacho.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have yet to truly replace Trent Alexander-Arnold and they seem to have misprofiled Jeremie Frimpong. The Dutchman is a winger, not a full-back, and he doesn’t get the same joy he had in the Bundesliga.
Centre-Back: Virgil van Dijk
It would be foolish to leave Virgil van Dijk out of this joint XI, and there’s a strange conversation about the Liverpool captain this season. While he hasn’t been at his very best, he hasn’t been as bad as many make out, perhaps because of the high standards he’s set.
Is he on par with Rio Ferdinand and John Terry? Not for me, but he is certainly one of the top 10 best central defenders in top-flight history. His composure on the ball, along with his aerial abilities, are superb.
Centre-Back: Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire has been the best centre-back of both teams this season. Thomas Tuchel claims he’s the fifth choice for England, which is utterly absurd given his inspired performances for United throughout the campaign.
Whether it’s flying in with a strong tackle or heading home a crucial winner, he has stepped up to the plate. His resilience has been truly outstanding, and he’s been rewarded for his resurgence with a new contract.
If the Reds had started the season stronger, there’s an argument to be made over him making the PFA Team of the Year. He will be crucial for Carrick tomorrow.
Left-Back: Luke Shaw
Many, including myself, thought Liverpool were signing the best left-back in the Premier League when Milos Kerkez joined them from Bournemouth. The Hungarian cost £40m and has failed to live up to that price tag.
Back at Old Trafford, there was a ton of pressure on Luke Shaw given his constant injury struggles and dissapointing 2024-25 campaign. The English left-back has put his fitness woes behind him and appeared in every single Premier League game.
Shaw hasn’t just been an ever-present; he’s been a reliable presence out on the left. He is unfortunate not to be in the conversation regarding a World Cup spot.
Central Midfield: Kobbie Mainoo
How on earth did Amorim look at Kobbie Mainoo and not think to give him a prominent role in his United team? The English midfielder has proven his only doubter wrong since Carrick replaced the Portuguese coach.
Mainoo has committed his long-term future to the club, which has finally put to bed speculation about a possible exit. He has formed a brilliant partnership with Casemiro which will be missed when the Brazilian departs at the end of the season.
Central Midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai
This was the toughest call to make because Casemiro has been outrageous in recent months, claiming April’s Premier League Player of the Month award. But realistically, you have to include Dominik Szoboszlai in this team.
The Liverpool midfielder has flourished throughout the campaign, putting his team on his back and coming to the fore when the going gets tough. He’s even put in a fair few shifts at right-back and been equally as impressive.
Attacking Midfield: Bruno Fernandes
If Bruno Fernandes doesn’t win the PFA Player of the Year award it then there’s something wrong with English football. The Portuguese playmaker is one assist away from equalling Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry’s joint record of assists in a single Premier League campaign.
With eight goals and 19 assists to his name thus far, he’s produced the type of season that pushes him towards legendary status. Even rival fans are now realising just how outrageously talented the Red Devils captain is.
Right Wing: Bryan Mbeumo
Is Mohamed Salah one of the greatest wingers in Premier League history? Yes. Has he dominated this fixture throughout the years? Yes.
But the Egyptian’s poor performances throughout the season can’t be overlooked. While Bryan Mbeumo might have come off the boil in recent months, the Cameroonian has proven to be a stellar piece of business from INEOS.
Mbeumo has bagged nine goals and three assists in the league. He’s already scored in this fixture, opening the scoring in a 2-1 win at Anfield in October.
Striker: Hugo Ekitike
This is bound to be contested by both sets of fans, but Hugo Ekitike has been the best striker for either side. Benjamin Sesko has shone since the turn of the year, and if we are judging from January onwards, the Slovenian probably leads the line.
Ekitike has been a standout performer for Liverpool in his debut season, which he’ll miss the rest of through an ACL injury. The French frontman managed 11 goals and four assists in 28 league games.
Alexander Isak has spent the majority of the campaign on the sidelines. But in the few outings he’s had he wouldn’t even make it ahead of Sesko on the bench.
Left Wing: Matheus Cunha
United’s £72.5m capture of Matheus Cunha has been far more successful than Liverpool’s £116m purchase of Florian Wirtz. The German is the only viable competitor for the Brazilian to take the left-wing spot because Cody Gakpo has been out of form.
Cunha’s numbers don’t tell the full story as he doesn’t need to score to make an impact. He has impressed with his ball-carrying abilities and link-up play, and has also scored several crucial goals, including winners against Chelsea and Arsenal.
