4-2-3-1: Ten Hag will surprise everyone as he reveals his big gamble line-up vs Liverpool
Over the course of Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United, one thing has become abundantly clear to fans: the Dutch manager is resolute, some might even say obstinate, in his decisions. This characteristic has repeatedly manifested in his team selections, where he often persists with underperforming players rather than opting for those currently in better form.
This theme is likely to play out once again as Ten Hag prepares to select his starting lineup for tomorrow’s clash against Liverpool at Old Trafford. Changes are inevitable following the team’s previous outing against Brighton, particularly with Mason Mount sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Despite the anticipation surrounding new signing Josh Zirkzee, who many fans believe is due for his first start, we expect Ten Hag to stick to his guns. This likely means deploying Marcus Rashford as the central striker, with Alejandro Garnacho stepping in on the left wing. Rashford’s recent dip in form might make this a risky move in the eyes of many supporters, but his knack for delivering in high-stakes matches cannot be overlooked.
In the attacking midfield role, Bruno Fernandes is expected to continue as the playmaker, with Amad Diallo retaining his spot on the right flank. Given the departures of Jadon Sancho and Facu Pellistri, along with Rasmus Hojlund’s ongoing recovery from a hamstring injury, Ten Hag’s options in the forward positions are limited, with Antony standing out as the main alternative.
The midfield duo is likely to feature Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo once more. The departure of Scott McTominay to Napoli further narrows the choices in this area, leaving Christian Eriksen and young talent Toby Collyer as the only other midfielders available. New acquisition Manuel Ugarte has not been registered in time for this match and, in any case, is not yet match-fit.
In defense, Andre Onana will resume his role as the goalkeeper, with Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot expected to fill the full-back positions. With Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia still on the injury list and Aaron Wan-Bissaka recently sold, the backline options are somewhat constrained. The central defensive pairing, however, presents a significant dilemma. Lisandro Martinez is a certainty, but the choice of his partner is less clear. Although new signing Matthijs de Ligt has only appeared as a substitute twice since joining from Bayern Munich and missed out on a full pre-season, Harry Maguire’s shaky performance against Brighton, including a costly error, raises doubts about his reliability. On balance, we predict Ten Hag might lean towards keeping Maguire in the lineup, wary of the risks associated with thrusting De Ligt into such a high-pressure fixture so soon. That said, the possibility of a surprise selection cannot be ruled out, with Jonny Evans also in the mix, though Victor Lindelof is reportedly still sidelined with injury.
The club’s transfer activities, dominated by Ineos, have seen numerous players either sold or loaned out, leaving the first-team squad somewhat threadbare. As a result, the substitutes’ bench could have a makeshift feel to it, potentially featuring Altay Bayindir, Evans, De Ligt, Eriksen, Collyer, Antony, and Zirkzee, based on our projections. This shortage might force Ten Hag to call up additional youth players, with Harry Amass, Jack Fletcher, and Ethan Wheatley among the candidates likely to be included.
In summary, here is our predicted lineup for Manchester United’s 4 pm kickoff tomorrow.Based on Erik ten Hag’s typical approach and the current squad situation, here’s the predicted lineup for Manchester United’s clash against Liverpool at Old Trafford:
### Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1 Formation)
**Goalkeeper:**
– **Andre Onana** – The first-choice goalkeeper will start between the posts.
**Defense:**
– **Right-Back:** **Diogo Dalot** – With Aaron Wan-Bissaka sold and Mazraoui being more suited for a substitute role, Dalot is likely to take the starting position.
– **Centre-Backs:** **Harry Maguire** and **Lisandro Martinez** – Despite Maguire’s error against Brighton, Ten Hag might still prefer his experience over a not fully match-fit Matthijs de Ligt. Martinez is a guaranteed starter.
– **Left-Back:** **Noussair Mazraoui** – In the absence of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, Mazraoui could fill in at left-back, though his natural position is on the right.
**Midfield:**
– **Defensive Midfielders:** **Casemiro** and **Kobbie Mainoo** – With McTominay gone and Ugarte unregistered, this duo remains the most likely choice. Mainoo’s form has impressed, while Casemiro’s experience is invaluable.
– **Attacking Midfield:** **Bruno Fernandes** – The captain will continue to orchestrate play from his preferred number 10 role.
**Attack:**
– **Right Wing:** **Amad Diallo** – With Pellistri and Sancho having left, Amad is expected to continue in his spot on the right.
– **Left Wing:** **Alejandro Garnacho** – With Rashford likely to be moved centrally, Garnacho will take the left wing, capitalizing on his ability to drive at defenders.
– **Striker:** **Marcus Rashford** – Despite recent struggles, Ten Hag trusts Rashford to deliver in crucial moments and will probably play him as the central striker.
### Bench:
– **Altay Bayindir** (GK)
– **Jonny Evans** (CB)
– **Matthijs de Ligt** (CB)
– **Christian Eriksen** (CM)
– **Toby Collyer** (CM)
– **Antony** (RW)
– **Joshua Zirkzee** (FW)
### Notable Points:
– **Absentees:** With Mount and Hojlund out due to injuries, the squad depth is tested. Players like Manuel Ugarte and Victor Lindelof are not available.
– **Youth Inclusions:** There could be last-minute additions from the youth squad to cover gaps. Possible candidates include **Harry Amass, Jack Fletcher,** and **Ethan Wheatley.**
This lineup reflects Erik ten Hag’s preference for experience and sticking with familiar setups, especially in high-pressure fixtures like a match against Liverpool. However, the bench has potential game-changers like Antony and Zirkzee who could make a significant impact if brought on.
