This Saturday Manchester United host their fiercest rivals, in Liverpool. Both sides have started averagely this Premier League season with both sides sitting pretty on seven points, with Liverpool on minus one goal difference and Manchester United on plus one goal difference.
United have beaten Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, while drawing to Newcastle United and losing to Swansea City. Liverpool on the other hand have beaten AFC Bournemouth and Stoke City, while drawing at Arsenal and then losing 3-0 at home to West Ham United.
Here is how Louis van Gaal’s side could line up against Liverpool on Saturday.
De Gea could return as back four is likely to remain
David De Gea
Last season’s star player without a doubt, has yet to play a single minute for United this season as he was involved in a running transfer saga with Real Madrid which went down to the final minutes, or as it turned out past the deadline.
The star goalkeeper has recently stated that he is hoping for ‘good fortune’ at United and with Romero performing averagely so far in his chances to play, it is possible that De Gea could take the position between the sticks. He is one of the best keepers in the league, so this is a positive move for United fans.
Luke Shaw
The newly instated England left-back who joined United last season has been in a rich vein of form so far this year and United fans should be excited to see him line up again this weekend.
He is the sides best left-back by far and this season he has put in several very impressive performances going forward but most importantly defensively as well.
Chris Smalling - Key Player
Last season prompted claims that we'd seen the last of Smalling in a United shirt when he got sent off against Manchester City, but this year he has turned it around. In the build up to this game there has been speculation of him being dropped in turn of Marcos Rojo, but his performances should warrant him a starting place.
Being one of the star performers so far this season, he has put in solid performance after solid performance so he is a certainty to start in this huge fixture.
Daley Blind
The Dutchman shocked everyone when Louis van Gaal announced that he was to be the side’s new centre-back. But so far so good.
The newly instated centre-back has only really made one mistake this season, where he got bullied off the ball by Gomis against Swansea. While not a natural centre-back, with Jones and Rojo not being fit enough to play or start and with Blackett and Evans leaving the club in the summer, Blind is the best option.
Matteo Darmain
The Italian right-back has been an instant hit with all United fans as he is yet to put a foot wrong at all so far. He has been extremely impressive and is arguably the best right-back that United have had since Gary Neville.
He is a certainty to start in a match as big as Liverpool at home.
Schneiderlin and Herrera may form two man midfield
Morgan Schneiderlin
Manchester United’s new midfield signing is key to their chances in the Premier League season and is just as vital again Liverpool this coming Saturday. While United will be at home and therefore will expect to have most the possession, a team of Liverpool’s ability will have plenty of attacking chances. As a result United need a man who can sit in central midfield and break up attacks and even create counter attacks.
Ander Herrera
While Van Gaal doesn’t seem to be the biggest fan of Herrera, with Carrick pulling out of the England game with an injury and Van Gaal not seeming to want to start Schweinsteiger too often, Herrera is the obvious next choice.
The Spaniard never seems to do enough to impress Van Gaal which is harsh because he does contribute goals and sets up chances for fellow teammates. But he may be able to solidify a future first team spot, if he performs well against Liverpool.
Memphis Depay
Manchester United have always enjoyed exciting and attacking wingers bombing down the flanks, last season this was found wanting a fair bit. But now with Memphis United have a new exciting talent.
He excited fans with his two goals against Brugge and his assist in the dying seconds to Marouane Fellaini, but in the league he has been rather disappointing so far. That being said talent is obviously there, so he will be picked again against Liverpool and what better time for the young man to get his first league goal?
Rooney to start up front with new boy Martial
Wayne Rooney
It is likely for this fixture that Wayne Rooney will be dropped to a number 10 position, to play in both wingers and the striker.
Rooney hasn’t had the best of starts to the season, failing to score in a single Premier League game so far. But his hat-trick away at Brugge and his two goals in as many games for England which made him the highest England goal scorer of all time is sure to give him some confidence in front of goal.
Rooney despite struggling in the league this in the first four games of the season, is still a vital player for United and is always a threat.
Juan Mata
Taking up his position on the right wing as always, is the Spaniard Juan Mata. Mata scored in United’s 2-1 defeat to Swansea in their last outing making him only the second United player to score this season. Along with Adnan Januzaj who is now out on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
While not a natural winger, the former Chelsea man manages to make the most out of his position with key positioning throughout the game. Last time out against Liverpool away at Anfield, Mata scored twice as United did the double over their arch-rivals.
Anthony Martial
With the amount of money paid for him and the fact he even featured in the French side during the international break, there is no reason as to why he can’t start for Manchester United.
The youngster will be under pressure to perform regardless of what game he starts in, but he is getting help from Patrice Evra to help him settle in at United.
The new signing may be raw but he offers pure pace and that is something United have been missing up front.