Rio Ferdinand names five Man United players in combined Liverpool XI ahead of FA Cup clash

Rio Ferdinand has listed his combined eleven of Manchester United and Liverpool players, with five men from his former side in the lineup.

Speaking ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final between the two sides, Ferdinand seemed generous when included five United players in his combined team.

Erik ten Hag’s side have looked poor for the most part of the season, whilst Jurgen Klopp’s men have already won the Carabao Cup and are challenging on three other fronts.

However, considering the absences in the Liverpool squad ahead of the game, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker unavailable, some spots have opened up for United men in the hypothetical team.

Ferdinand included two United players in the back five, with André Onana chosen ahead of Liverpool’s no.2 Caoimhin Kelleher and Diogo Dalot at right-back ahead of Connor Bradley.

“I’m going Onana. Dalot has to play. [Connor Bradley] is doing well as well,” Ferdinand tells Vibe with Five. “I said about Dalot before, I don’t know what he is, you know? I remember Cristiano said to me; ‘This boy will be a good player, trust me. He works hard, has good attributes’… and he was right. He’s been really good.

“[Ibrahim] Konate and Virgil [van Dijk], straight in,” added the former United centre-back. “Lindelöf’s done alright [at left-back], but Andy Robertson goes in.”

In the midfield, the six-time Premier League winner agreed that Alexis Mac Allister deserved a spot, alongside Liverpool’s new midfielder Wataru Endo, but argued for Kobbie Mainoo to be included as the third man in the engine room.

“(Wataru) Endo has been your guy. I think Endo, with the importance to the team, he just sits there and stops counterattacks. I’m going Kobbie Mainoo [as well].

“For a young kid to come in and have the impact he’s had so far, the calmness he plays with… He has to get a mention.”

On the wings, Ferdinand placed the recently returned Mo Salah on the right, and put Alejandro Garnacho back on the left side. He refused to place Darwin Nunez above Rasmus Højlund despite the Liverpool forward’s impressive form.

“I’ll give you (Salah). Garnacho has bene brilliant, I love him. I’m going to put Garnacho on the left,” he added.

“Darwin has had a couple of good games! Before this month you wouldn’t be sitting there with your chest out saying Darwin. I can’t give you Darwin over Hojlund with as much conviction as you’re saying.”