While all the drama was unfolding at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, and the teams were stuck in the Lowry Hotel, the team managers still had to submit teamsheets to officials.
As are protocols, the team sheets needed to be given to the Premier League an hour ahead of kick-off time, and both United and Liverpool complied with this, with the Premier League publishing both teams’ starting XIs.
The MEN reported United’s announced team, despite the situation looking like there was little chance of the game actually being played.
XI: Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Greenwood, Fernandes, Pogba; Rashford
So, looking at this from a football view as opposed to through the lens of the protests (you can read more on the protests here), here is a look at three things we learned from the line-up…
Solskjaer took this seriously
There were questions over how strong a team United would name for this fixture, with it being sandwiched in between a Europa League semi-final.
United rotated against Liverpool in the FA Cup in January and still won, so there was a case to be made that Solskjaer could afford to here.
After a 6-2 win over Roma on Thursday, Solskjaer may have adjusted his plans.
Some players like Bruno Fernandes, may start on the bench in Rome, with United holding a four goal advantage.
This enabled United to name a strong line up against Liverpool to try and secure all three points – although as we know, the players did not get the opportunity and will have to wait for another day.
Fred and McTominay are United’s go-to option
Solskjaer is enamoured with his midfield partnership of Fred and Scott McTominay, and after recent results you can’t blame him.
It does however speak volumes about the decline of Nemanja Matic, who has really gone backwards this season.
While he may get a game against Roma, ideally he would be able to contribute more than he has, but Solskjaer no longer seems to trust him.
Fred and McTominay have performed well lately, but it is impossible to shake the notion that United need another central midfielder.
Rashford not being rested yet, unlike Cavani
As it turned out, Marcus Rashford will get a week’s rest. Perhaps more if he is omitted from the starting line-up to face Roma.
Solskjaer did not plan to rest Rashford though, naming him in the starting line-up, when he quite easily could have slotted Dan James in.
This spoke volumes about how seriously Solskjaer was taking this match, and his reliance on Rashford. United do need to find a way of relying on him a little less.
Edinson Cavani meanwhile was due to start this one on the bench, an indication he may have, and may still be, lined up to start away at Roma.
Roma will be sick of the sight of him, after his two goal and two assist display in Thursday night’s 6-2 victory.
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