Manchester United team news vs Liverpool: £42m signing MISSES clash

Ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Old Trafford on Sunday to face an old foe in Manchester United, we take a look at the Red Devils and how Liverpool supporters can expect their opponents to line up this weekend.

Erik ten Hag has ensured his side make the most of the summer transfer window, completing several signings as they look to improve on their underwhelming eighth-placed finish from the previous campaign.

The club have been successful in bringing in key players throughout the window, notably Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, both joining from Bayern Munich, as well as Leny Yoro from Lille and Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.

Read more: How is the Liverpool boss preparing to face Manchester United?

Manchester United sealed their final summer signing at the deadline, with Manuel Ugarte joining from Paris Saint-Germain. The Red Devils had chased him all window and finally clinched the deal at the death.

United pay around £42m for the privilege, tying Ugarte down to a long-term deal. However, he won't face Liverpool on Sunday, having not been registered in time.

Amongst Ten Hag’s summer signings set to start on Sunday is Zirkzee. The Dutch forward has impressed since putting pen to paper for the Red Devils in July, scoring the winner in Manchester United’s only win of the season thus far against Fulham.

Whilst the 23- year- old only enjoyed a 45-minute cameo away to Brighton last weekend, it is likely that Ten Hag will give Zirkzee another opportunity to impress on his second appearance at Old Trafford.

Man Utd injuries and suspensions:

Although the club are able to boast a number of summer signings, some of whom likely to be in Ten Hag’s plans against Liverpool, the Dutch manager is without a handful of key figures as his side look to record back-to-back home wins in the Premier League for the first time since December.

New signing Yoro will be unavailable for the Red Devils having picked up an injury in pre- season, whilst Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelöf, Luke Shaw, Rasmus Højlund and Mason Mount are also absent, the latter of these players picking up an injury at the AMEX last weekend.

Addressing the injury on social media, Mount stated “During the last game I picked up a minor muscle issue.”

“I've had it checked and it looks like I'll be out for a few games. Leading up to and during pre-season, I worked hard to get my fitness back to where it needs to be and I felt re-energised, sharp, and ready."

“I wanted you to hear it directly from me how frustrated I am, as I expect you are too. I will do everything possible to be back in the best shape and help the team.”

Manchester United will also be forced to adjust their lineup from last weekend to accommodate for the departure of Scott McTominay. The Scottish midfielder, who came off the bench against Brighton, is currently set to be swapping England for Italy as he joins Napoli after seven years at the club.

Man Utd expected lineup vs Liverpool:

Whilst Ten Hag has selected a 4-2-3-1 formation for the opening two games of the season, it remains to be seen whether the Manchester United manager alters this ahead of Sunday’s encounter.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool pose a significant threat given their positive start to the season, defeating both Ipswich Town and Brentford in a run which sees them yet to concede a goal.

Ten Hag will also be reminded of the meeting between the two sides in pre- season, in which Liverpool brushed past their rivals in South Carolina.

Below is how we expect Manchester United to line up on Sunday:

(4-2-3-1): Onana, Dalot, Martinez, De Ligt, Mazraoui, Mainoo, Casemiro, Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho, Zirkzee