How Manchester United could line up against Liverpool

Old Trafford awaits as Manchester United entertain Liverpool in the 4th Round of the FA Cup.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: (L - R) Paul Pogba, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw of Manchester United take part in a minute of applause for Singer-songwriter, Gerry Marsden who recently past away ahead of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on January 17, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around England remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images)

By Ahmed Ali24 January 2021 11:29 BST

Manchester United host Liverpool in FA Cup on Sunday evening - seven days after playing each other in the Premier League.

This occasion sees United have the pleasure of hosting the North West Derby , aiming to advance into the sixth round of the competition.

A 2-1 win at Craven Cottage for United and home loss against Burnley for Liverpool, means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Reds will be coming into this game much more confident than Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.

Klopp's resting of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson against Burnley could mean he had one eye on the weekend's FA Cup tie against United. With his side going on to lose against Burnley, Klopp could possibly bring in his best eleven for Sunday evening's clash.

On the other hand , Solskjaer could give Donny Van De Beek a start against Liverpool as he's been heavily critised for not giving the 22 year old Dutch international enough game time.

Here's how Solskjaer's team could look like on Sunday evening.

GK - Dean Henderson

Dean Henderson has featured in the all of United's cup games this season and started in the win against Watford in the third round. Solskjaer could rest David de Gea for the game against Sheffield United in three days time.

RB - Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Aaron Wan Bissaka will be expected to start for the first time in the FA Cup this season after Brandon Williams started against Watford in their last FA Cup game. It would be a quite a surprise if Axel Tuanzebe or Williams started at Right back instead of the ever-present Wan-Bissaka.

CB - Harry Maguire

The heart of United's defence is expected to be captained by Harry Maguire on Sunday evening. The England international has played the most minutes for United this season - total of 1,710 minutes. Therefore, Solskjaer will be looking to call upon his skipper for this highly anticipated game.

CB - Victor Lindelof

Victor Lindelof should return to the starting eleven ahead of Eric Bailly who played the full ninety minutes in West London four days ago. Lindelof started in league meeting between the two sides seven days ago and is expected to partner Maguire on Sunday.

LB - Alex Telles

The excellent form of Luke Shaw in recent weeks has seen Alex Telles start just one game in 2021. But with Luke Shaw injury issues , Solskjaer could opt to rest the England international in favour of starting Telles on Sunday. Two excellent left backs Solskjaer could choose from.

CDM - Scott McTominay

Solskjaer opted to start Fred and Paul Pogba in midfield for their game at Fulham three days ago - Scott McTominay being on the bench. The Scotland international has started in all the big games United have played against the top 6 and is expected to come back into the team having started him at Anfield a week ago.

CDM - Donny Van de Beek

In Solskjaer's recent press conference he stated Van de Beek will be 'definitely be involved in the game against Liverpool, he might be the deciding factor in the game'. This could be a sign that Van de Beek is set to start in his second game of 2021 and the North West Derby clash could be a game he looks to outperform his peers and show the United boss why he should be featuring more.

AM - Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes is set to keep his place in the team after helping guide United back to the top of the table with an assist for one of the two goals United scored at Fulham. The 26 year old is set to start once again for United in the AM position, a position he's most certainly nailed down since arriving at the club in January 2020.

RW - Marcus Rashford

After not starting in the game against Fulham in midweek, Solskjaer is set to recall Rashford into the team. Rashford has played a total of 1,538 minutes this season - the third highest in the squad. After Mason Greenwood featured at RW against Fulham, Rashford is set to return to that role on Sunday.

LW - Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba is expected to start against Liverpool after man of the match display at Craven Cottage in The Reds last game. Solskjaer has put his faith in the 27 year old midfielder and it's paid off, having seen him score the winner in two of United's last three games.

ST - Edinson Cavani

After scoring one of the two goals required to get the three points at Fulham, Edinson Cavani looks more than likely to keep his place for Sunday evening's game. Solskjaer could start Cavani for this game and decide to rest Martial for Wednesday's clash against Sheffield United. 