Match Preview: Manchester United vs Liverpool

Manchester United vs Liverpool | Premier League | Old Trafford | KO 20:15 GMT | Sky Sports

A matter of 48 hours after a second-string Manchester United starting 11 were beaten by Leicester City, United host arch-rivals Liverpool.

Despite United wrapping up a place in next season’s Champions League, the stakes are high as a win for Solskjaer’s men all but condemns Liverpool into the Europa League.

How do Manchester United look?

The biggest news to come out of United’s camp has been regarding captain Harry Maguire’s injury.

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The England international is set to miss the remaining Premier League fixtures due to ligament damage in his ankle. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said:

“The good news is it wasn’t broken, there was no fracture, but of course a ligament injury is serious. If I’m very positive, and that’s maybe stretching it, I’m hopeful he might be ready for it. I don’t think he’ll play in the league again but we’ll do everything we can to get him ready for the final.”

With Maguire being injured, there lies a gaping hole in United’s defence but the real question surrounds who will fill it. Eric Bailly is perhaps the most likely candidate to step in due to his experience. However, judging based on their performance vs Leicester, Axel Tuanzebe could be a left field option to partner Victor Lindelof in defence.

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As for the rest of the side, Solskjaer is likely to field a more recognisable team. The team that was scheduled to play Liverpool more than a week ago was:

Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelöf, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Greenwood, Bruno, Pogba; Rashford.

Opposition: Liverpool

The now former champions are currently almost hilariously at risk of playing Europa League football this season. While many of their fans have typically placed the blame at Solskjaer’s rotated side vs Leicester, Jürgen Klopp was quick to defend the Norwegian:

“It was the line-up I expected. He has to make these changes. I said it 500 times – to play Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday is a crime.

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“It’s not Solskjaer and the players’ fault. Would I have done the same? Yes. You have to. If we don’t go to the Champions League it is not Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s fault.” He added.

Liverpool remain unable to call upon the service of their captain Jordan Henderson who himself is likely to miss their remaining fixtures. Joel Matip, Virgil van Djik and Joe Gomez are still absent.