Manchester United will travel to Anfield on Sunday afternoon, chasing their first win away to the Reds since 2015/16.
If Ruben Amorim’s side are victorious, it will also be the first time they’ve won back-to-back Premier League games under the Portuguese manager.
Last season’s result at Anfield was one of their best there in years. United came away with a 2-2 draw, thanks to goals from Lisandro Martinez and Amad, who scored an 80th-minute equaliser. That was the first time the Red Devils had scored at Anfield since 2018/19.
Amorim spoke about Martinez’s availability in his pre-match press conference, along with other team news.
Man Utd’s team news for Liverpool trip
The number of injuries in the United squad is decreasing as the season progresses, which is important for Amorim. Martinez has been sidelined since February, although the trip to Anfield has seemingly come too soon for the 2022 World Cup winner.
The United boss confirmed that the 27-year-old is not too far off a return to full training, having been back on grass for a few weeks.
Martinez is “almost returning to the training with the team,” said Amorim.
Noussair Mazraoui is another player who United have been without for a few weeks. Amorim clarified that he is unsure of his availability for the trip to Anfield, with the Red Devils gaffer saying, “I don’t know” when quizzed on whether he will feature against United.
Although he wasn’t mentioned in the press conference, Ayden Heaven did pick up a knock on England under-20s duty. However, an article from The Manchester Evening News said United have ‘played down’ any potential issue with the talented centre-back.
As for the other players involved with their national teams this week, Amorim confirmed “they are ready” to play on Sunday. He certainly has a few different options when it comes to the makeup of his starting lineup, with a few selection headaches at wing-back.
Amorim’s secret weapon at wing-back
It has not been easy for Amoirm to land on the right formula at wing-back throughout his stint as United boss.
Patrick Dorgu has tended to be the option on the left flank.
On the right, Mazraoui has played that role well, but it is not a guarantee that he will be involved against the Reds.
That leaves two options for Amorim to go with. Amad is one of those, although he may well choose to go with the more defensive option of Diogo Dalot.
The Portuguese right-back has shown great versatility under his countryman, but right wing-back is surely where he slots in best.
The 26-year-old, who was born in Braga, has played on both flanks for United this season. However, across his six appearances, he’s played four times on the right-hand side, starting there against Arsenal on the first day of the season.
It is for his more defensive approach that he could be a better option than Amad from the start. Dalot would be coming directly up against Cody Gakpo, who is in stellar form this season.
The Dutchman has two goals and two assists in seven Premier League games so far.
United’s number two is a right-back by trade, and certainly offers a lot from a defensive point of view. Compared to Amad this season, he’s won more tackles in the defensive third per game, with 1.08 as opposed to the Ivorian’s 0.2.
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Dalot vs Amad – 25/26 PL Stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90) |
Dalot |
Amad |
|
Interceptions |
0.81 |
0.4 |
|
% of dribblers tackled |
100% |
42.9% |
|
Defensive third tackles won |
1.08 |
0.2 |
|
Key passes |
1.62 |
1.6 |
|
Crosses completed |
1.08 |
0.2 |
|
Stats from FBref |
||
Yet, as the numbers in the table show, Dalot does offer a threat going forward, meaning it is not just a defensive-minded selection from the Red Devils boss.
However, he certainly has the defensive nous to lock down Gakpo, one of Liverpool’s biggest attacking threats.
As Statman Dave has said, the United defender is an “underrated” member of the squad.
His ability from a defensive point of view could be key against a threat like Gakpo, as United go on the hunt for a rare win at Anfield.
