Manchester United and Liverpool do battle this weekend with both sides eyeing silverware at the end of the season.
For the Red Devils the FA Cup represents their last chance to claim a trophy in 2023/24 and spark some joy in an otherwise miserable campaign for their supporters.
Their north west rivals, on the other hand, are enjoying a terrific season that could see them claim four trophies as they bid a fond farewell to Jurgen Klopp.
The two clubs are at very different points right now, but that doesn’t make it any less of a must-win game for either side.
There is no doubt that Erik ten Hag’s charges are the underdogs heading into this one, especially when the two squads are compared. Just how many of Man United’s players would get into this Liverpool team? Spoiler: very few.
Man United vs Liverpool combined XI:
GK: Alisson Becker – Liverpool
Is there a goalkeeper in the world that would get in ahead of Alisson in any Liverpool combined XI? At any rate it’s not Andre Onana.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool
Is Trent Alexander-Arnold even a true right-back anymore? It’s debatable given his new hybrid role under Jurgen Klopp, but there’s no arguing that Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Diogo Dalot get in ahead of him. Indeed, it’s hard to make a case that either man deserves the spot ahead of Connor Bradley.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
Harry Maguire ahead of Virgil van Dijk? Don’t make me laugh.
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CB: Ibrahima Konate – Liverpool
There would have been a point in time where Raphael Varane’s place in this team wouldn’t have been questioned, but the Frenchman hasn’t been quite the same player since leaving Real Madrid. Ibrahima Konate, on the other hand, has been excellent for Liverpool this season.
LB: Andy Robertson – Liverpool
Luke Shaw has a legitimate shout to be in this side, but he’s rarely fit anymore. The Man United full-back has made just 12 Premier League starts this season, the last of which came in February.
Andy Robertson has had his own injury struggles this term, but his level of consistency when he is fit and starting for Liverpool is exceptional.
CM: Bruno Fernandes – Man Utd
Finally. We get to a Man United player. Liverpool are stacked in midfield, boasting an impressive suite of players in that area of the pitch following last summer’s reboot. The only Red Devils midfielder who could stake a claim to get into Klopp’s starting lineup is Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese playmaker hasn’t enjoyed his best season, but he’s still top of the Premier League for key passes and shot-creating actions, and second for expected assisted goals and passes into the penalty area. His hopeless teammates have just been incapable of converting the chances he’s laying up for them.
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CM: Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool
Liverpool fans quickly fell in love with Dominik Szoboszlai after he arrived from RB Leipzig in the summer, and who can blame them? The all-action midfielder has shown an impressive ability to pass and dribble with the ball, while he’s also capable of scoring the odd thunderbolt.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool
Another midfielder who needed a very short adaptation period into Klopp’s team, Alexis Mac Allister has impressed in the number six role. Even though it’s not his ideal position, the Argentine is currently a damn sight better than Scott McTominay, Sofyan Amrabat and – dare I say it – Casemiro.
We’d probably put Wataru Endo above that lot, frankly.
RW: Mo Salah – Liverpool
There isn’t a single Man United player who could nudge Mo Salah out of this lineup, but would any of Ten Hag’s men still make it in even if the Egyptian wasn’t available for selection? Would you take Antony over a potential replacement like, say, Harvey Elliott? Or an out-of-position Diogo Jota? Doubtful.
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CF: Darwin Nunez – Liverpool
The crown prince of chaos has this spot locked down, which we wouldn’t have necessarily put money on before the start of the season. 17 goals in 41 appearances has turned just about everyone around on the Uruguayan, though.
Rasmus Hojlund found the scoring touch in the Premier League, before his recent injury at least. But the 21-year-old still has a ways to go before he can claim the number 9 role in this combined XI.
LW: Luis Diaz – Liverpool
Last year Marcus Rashford would have waltzed into this combined XI. This year some might say he’s lucky to be in the Man United XI, given how much his performances have fallen off.
Luis Diaz doesn’t have the end product of one of the top attackers in the Premier League, but he’s still a huge asset to Liverpool in every game he plays. And he could have a big influence on Sunday’s clash.
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