Rio Ferdinand believes there are five Manchester United players who could get into Liverpool’s starting XI ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final meeting with the two Premier League giants at Old Trafford.
Five, given how Manchester United have performed during much of Erik ten Hag’s second season in the Red Devils dugout, may feel a little generous.
But with Liverpool struggling with an injury crisis of their own – the likes of Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold unavailable and Mo Salah only recently returning to Jurgen Klopp’s first-team – Ferdinand’s combined XI is a little more equal than it otherwise may have been.
In-form shot-stopper Andre Onana, he says, would get in ahead of Liverpool’s number two Coaimhin Kelleher. Ferdinand also chooses Diogo Dalot over youngster Connor Bradley and includes teenage duo Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, while arguing that the returning Rasmus Hojlund should get the nod over Darwin Nunez despite a run of nine goals in 11 games from the madcap Uruguayan.
Rio Ferdinand chooses Man United and Liverpool combined XI
“I’m going Onana. Dalot has to play. (Bradley) is doing well as well,” Ferdinand tells Vibe with Five on YouTube, opening up on Cristiano Ronaldo’s admiration for his Portugal team-mate.
“I said about Dalot before, I don’t know what he is, you know? I remember Cristiano said to me; ‘This boy will be a good player, trust me. He works hard, has good attributes’.
“(Ronaldo) was right. He’s been really good.
“(Ibrahim) Konate and Virgil (van Dijk), straight in,” the 2008 Champions League winner adds, debating the XI with Liverpool-supporting musician Yungen. “(Wataru) Endo has been your guy. I think Endo, with the importance to the team, he just sits there and stops counter attacks. I’m going Kobbie Mainoo (alongside Endo).
“For a young kid to come in and have the impact he’s had so far, the calmness he plays with… He has to get a mention.
“I’ll give you (Salah). Garnacho has bene brilliant, I love him. I’m going to put Garnacho on the left.
“Darwin has had a couple of good games! Before this month you wouldn’t be sitting there with your chest out saying Darwin. I can’t give you Darwin over Hojlund with as much conviction as you’re saying.”
No Rashford or Bruno Fernandes
There are, of course, a couple of notable absentees.
Ferdinand can find no place for the ageing former Real Madrid duo of Raphael Varane and Casemiro, while Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford were also omitted in favour of Dominik Szoboszlai and a forward who has scored a stunning 12 goals against Man United since returning to England with Liverpool.
Man United, meanwhile, must beat their North West rivals on Sunday if they are to have any hope of picking up silverware this term.
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