Paul Scholes names the two players missing from Rúben Amorim’s best XI, nine played vs Liverpool

Paul Scholes has claimed that only two players are now missing from Rúben Amorim’s best Manchester United XI after their 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

Manchester United showcased their resilience at Anfield on Sunday, battling back to secure a thrilling 2-2 draw against league leaders Liverpool in a captivating Premier League clash.

United began brightly, controlling possession and working hard to disrupt Liverpool’s attacking rhythm. As the first half progressed, Rasmus Højlund came close to finding the opener, but the sides went into the break goalless.

The second half burst into life as Lisandro Martínez fired United ahead with a precise finish, following a well-crafted assist from Bruno Fernandes. The goal sparked Liverpool into action, and Cody Gakpo equalised shortly after, calmly slotting home to level the score.

Liverpool then gained the upper hand when Mohammed Salah converted a penalty after Matthijs de Ligt was penalised for handling the ball. With the hosts leading 2-1 and the clock ticking down, Rúben Amorim turned to his bench, bringing on Alejandro Garnacho to inject fresh energy.

Garnacho delivered instantly, setting up Amad Diallo for a composed finish to make it 2-2 with ten minutes remaining. The closing stages saw end-to-end action as both teams pressed for a winner, but neither could find the decisive goal.

In the end, the points were shared in a pulsating contest, with United showing character and fight to leave Anfield with a deserved draw.

Scholes names two missing from Amorim’s best XI

In reaction to the result, former United midfielder Paul Scholes was keen to talk about who the best players are under Amorim, when he then divulged who he feels would start in the 39-year-old’s best XI.

Scholes explained that the only two additions that may need to be made to the side that started against Liverpool are bringing in Leny Yoro as a right centre-back and changing one of the wing-backs to an attacker, suggesting that Alejandro Garnacho should slot in at left wing-back.

“They’ve got to produce that week-in, week-out,” Scholes told Premier League Productions in the aftermath of the result.

“Now, as I said, we’ve seen that blueprint. We’ve seen eight or nine players that, if fit, could probably play every week. I think Leny Yoro, if he gets right, if he gets games under his belt, he could be one that comes into that back three to the right-hand side.

“You’re thinking you go out to [Kobbie] Mainoo, you think if they’re fit, they’re going to play. Mainoo needs games. I think Mainoo, at times, is a little bit sloppy today in possession, but he’s not played a lot of football. He will get sharper as the season goes on. And they will be a better team.

“Mainoo and [Mauel] Ugarte in the team, no doubt, will be a better team, I think. [Bruno] Fernandes and [Amad] Diallo in them [attacking] positions were a threat. I think Fernandes, quality-wise, he just brings a bit of composure to the game, which was good.

“Obviously, Diallo with his threat from that position. I think he’s better suited to wing-back, I think. They played quite defensive wing-backs today, which you can understand at Anfield the way, of course, you can.

Read More: Paul Scholes and Michael Owen admit “worry” about Manchester United star vs Liverpool

“Will he change that in some way in games that come? Will he play one defensive one and then possibly bring a Garnacho into left-hand side as more of an attacking wing-back?

“He’s got options there, but I think as long as he sticks with this, the majority of this team, your seven, eight, nine players of this team, just add bits around it and get a bit of momentum now, I think they’re capable of doing all right. They’re still not going to be brilliant, but they’re going to do all right.”

Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is released every Wednesday at 6 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.