Bombshells in the United starting line-up.
With both Manchester United and Liverpool chasing their first Premier League wins of the season, Erik ten Hag and Jurgen Klopp have made some big calls with their respective starting XIs.
The stand-out United news is ten Hag benching Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Cristiano Ronaldo:
📋 Erik's named our line-up to face Liverpool.
Come on, United! 🔴⚪️⚫️#MUFC || #MUNLIV
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 22, 2022
Earlier this afternoon, as the game drew nearer, word circulated that United captain Harry Maguire could be dropped. Former United captain Roy Keane was not surprised after Maguire’s recent [nay, prolonged] slump in form.
“I’d be reluctant to change Ronaldo but Maguire I think they’d be no surprised with that one,” said Keane.
“Erik ten Hag’s got to grab this football club by the scruff of the neck and do big things,” said Gary Neville, on Sky Sports. “[Dropping Maguire] would be a big statement.”
Erik ten Hag chats with Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United during a pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)Jurgen Klopp has ‘no sympathy’ for Man United
Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, has made his team calls for the game, with three changes from their last outing.
Joe Gomez, Harvey Elliott and Roberto Firmino all start for the Merseysiders:
Here’s how we line up for #MUNLIV at Old Trafford tonight 👊⚪
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 22, 2022
Both sides are winless after their first two league games of the season. Liverpool have drawn with Fulham and Crystal Palace while United have lost to Brighton and Brentford, and are 19th in the standings.
Ahead of the game, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said he had no sympathy about United’s current struggles. He commented:
“We all have problems. I’m not sure if you go now to Man United and ask Erik ten Hag if he thinks we have a few too many injuries… it’s not like this.
“The sea is full of sharks in the football world. It’s not necessary that I feel sympathy. It would not help them, and it would not harm them that I don’t do it. We all have our own problems and that’s it.”
In his press briefing ahead of the game, Erik ten Hag said, “I’m here for the club and to restore the club. I knew before that this is a challenge and I wanted this challenge.
“I knew before it was going to be hard but I wanted that because in my career, everywhere I started, the start was difficult but I get it done, and I’m convinced I get it done here as well.
