In one of the biggest matches in the whole Premier League season, Manchester United play host to Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams come into the huge clash in impressive form with the Red Devils winning their last eight matches in all competitions to put themselves back in contention for a top four finish, while Jurgen Klopp’s side have won four of their last five top-flight ties.
However, the Merseyside outfit have drawn their previous two games – 2-2 away at Sunderland at the start of the month before they were held to a goalless draw by League Two outfit Plymouth Argyle in the third round of the FA Cup at Anfield on Sunday.
The two clubs will also have some key names missing at the weekend with United centre-back Eric Bailly and Liverpool forward Sadio Mane away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while the likes of Marcos Rojo could also be absent because of injury.
Without further ado, here is FootballFanCast’s Manchester United and Liverpool combined XI based on who is available for this clash and their form this season…
GK: David De Gea
For myself anyway, there was little debate when it came to deciding who would be between the sticks in the combined XI.
Whereas time and time again David de Gea has proved that he is not only one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, but also in world football, Liverpool continue to struggle when it comes to stoppers.
Loris Karius was brought in to replace Simon Mignolet as the Reds’ first-choice ‘keeper during the summer, but he has lost his place to the Belgian following some questionable performances at the beginning of December.
RB: Nathaniel Clyne
The right-back has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers since he joined them from Southampton in 2015, and he is our choice to start on the right side of the defence in this combined XI.
As well as the threat he provides in an attacking sense, he has the stamina to get back down the pitch and defend – refreshing to see in a modern day full-back.
His only real competition for the spot was United’s Antonio Valencia, but we have opted for the younger model.
CB: Chris Smalling
Although he suffered a toe injury towards the start of the season, the Manchester United centre-back is fit again and has started three of their last four matches – showing how highly he is rated by Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho.
The England international has had his dodgy moments during his career at Old Trafford, but he has certainly come on leaps and bounds in recent seasons and deserves to take his place in the combined XI – ousting the likes of team-mate Phil Jones and Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren from the starting line-up.
CB: Joel Matip
The centre of defence has certainly been one of Liverpool’s biggest problems in recent seasons – especially during the reign of Jurgen Klopp at Anfield – but they might have just found the answer to their problems in the form of Joel Matip.
The Cameroon international – who moved to the Reds on a free transfer from Schalke during the summer – boasts excellent reading of the game, is good on the ball and is pacey too.
He looked to be forming a strong partnership with team-mate Dejan Lovren before suffering an injury in December, and Klopp will hope to have his impressive defender back for the trip to Old Trafford.
LB: James Milner
Although it isn’t his natural or preferred position, James Milner has arguably been the best player to feature in the left-back for both of these clubs this season.
While the likes of Luke Shaw, Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian have shared the spot at United, Milner has made it his own at Anfield, ousting the defensively questionable Alberto Moreno.
As well as his determination and impressive displays from a defensive point of view, the former England international has also chipped in with five goals – all from the penalty spot.
CM: Paul Pogba
Despite making a slow start on his return to Old Trafford following his world-record move back to Manchester United from Juventus in the summer, the France international has probably been the club’s standout player during their recent winning run.
The midfielder is really starting to show why he is worth close to that £89m fee, and his dominance in the middle of the park, strong forward runs and link-up play with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic – as well as the goal threat he has provided – make him a certainty for a spot in the combined XI.
CM: Jordan Henderson
The Liverpool skipper may be a controversial choice for some, but he has again been outstanding in the middle of the park for the Reds this season.
It is Jordan Henderson’s deep-lying positional sense that has allowed his team-mates to flourish from an attacking sense this term, and it is no coincidence that they struggled without him in the 2-2 draw against lowly Sunderland at the Stadium of Light earlier this month.
As well as being a leader, the England international has also shown that he is capable of the spectacular – he scored a stunning goal in what could prove to be an important win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in September.
CM: Adam Lallana
Henderson’s Liverpool and England team-mate Adam Lallana has also been one of the best players in the Premier League this season, and looks increasingly comfortable in Jurgen Klopp’s preferred 4-3-3 formation.
The former Southampton man has scored an impressive seven goals and provided the same number of assists in 18 Premier League appearances, and it is his ability to find himself in the right place at the right time that is particularly impressive and sees him take his spot in midfield ahead of the likes of United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
RW: Roberto Firmino
Although he had some stiff competition from United’s Wayne Rooney and he may not have been here had Sadio Mane not been away at the Africa Cup of Nations, we have opted for the Brazilian in our combined XI.
The forward was a joy to watch as he linked up with the likes of Adam Lallana, Mane and his national compatriot Philippe Coutinho earlier in the campaign, and his ability to create a chance or a goalscoring opportunity out of nothing mean that he is a welcome addition to the starting line-up.
ST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Some, myself included, doubted whether Zlatan Ibrahimovic could replicate the form he had shown in previous years at Paris Saint-Germain when he made the move to the Premier League during the summer, but the Swedish striker has proved me, and many others, wrong.
The 35-year-old has scored 18 goals in all competitions and been the main focal point up top for United, but as well as his ability to put the ball in the back of the net, it is his all round hold-up play, personality and relationship with his Red Devils team-mates that is particularly impressive.
LW: Philippe Coutinho
The Brazilian magician is the seventh Liverpool player to feature in our combined XI, and he fully deserves his place in the side.
With his quick feet, ability to turn out of tight situations, being able to create chances out of nothing and the goalscoring threat he provides from outside the penalty area and from set pieces, there won’t be too many United supporters that wouldn’t want Coutinho ahead of the likes of Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial.