Manchester United predicted line-up vs Liverpool as Rúben Amorim close to his best XI

Rúben Amorim is predicted to come close to his best Manchester United line-up has he prepares his side to face Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester United are set to begin 2025 with a monumental challenge as they visit Anfield on Sunday afternoon to take on Premier League leaders Liverpool in what could be their toughest match of the season.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool are cruising at the top of the table, while United are struggling in 14th place, just seven points above the relegation zone. Manager Rúben Amorim has described this period as one of the most difficult in the club’s modern history.

United’s form has been abysmal, with five defeats in their last six league games. Their struggles have included home losses to Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, and Newcastle United, as well as away defeats to Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

While the odds are stacked against them, a shock victory at Anfield could provide the spark United need to leave a disappointing 2024 behind and start 2025 on a more positive note.

Amorim close to his best starting line-up

For the first time since he joined the club as head coach, Amorim has been able to train with his full available squad for multiple days in a row, which will allow him to select an XI close to his very best, bar a few injuries.

André Onana is expected to start in goal as he always does in the Premier League, while Amorim will have to drop one of his four available centre-backs.

Considering Liverpool’s pace in attack, the United coach will want to match it, so Leny Yoro will likely start on the right. Lisandro Martínez remains the side’s only left-footed player in the position, so they will likely continue on the left while there is a toss-up for the final position.

Amorim has been keen to praise Harry Maguire in recent days, but considering that Matthijs de Ligt has been the most consistent defender at the club in the league, the Dutchman may start in defence over Maguire, with the roles being swapped in the FA Cup next weekend.

In midfield, Kobbie Mainoo impressed when he came on against Newcastle and may return to the XI, while Manuel Ugarte is back after facing suspension and will likely return next to him.

Despite criticism, Amorim may choose to continue playing full-backs as wing-backs in his system, with Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot the obvious choices, although there is a chance Dalot may be replaced with Tyrell Malacia should the 39-year-old choose to.

Bruno Fernandes is also expected to be reinstated as a left attacking midfielder after he served a one-match ban on Monday evening. At the same time, Amad Diallo will likely continue his streak of starts on the right.

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Up front, United will be wanting to try and hit Liverpool on the counter, meaning Rasmus Højlund will likely be favoured over Joshua Zirkzee.

Bar the unavailability of lef-back Luke Shaw and potentially Mason Mount, this is very close to Amorim’s best possible line-up.

United predicted line-up vs Liverpool

Onana, Yoro, De Ligt, Martínez, Mazraoui, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot, Amad, Fernandes, Højlund.

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