4-2-3-1: Rashford recovers, Mount returns as Ten Hag picks explosive side to humble Liverpool – predicted XI

There is no such thing as a friendly when Manchester United take on Liverpool and Erik ten Hag will be wanting victory for his men late tonight when the two sides meet in Columbia, South Carolina in the final leg of United’s pre-season tour.

Ten Hag will be sweating on the fitness of both Marcus Rashford and Antony, who were both injured on Wednesday night against Real Betis.

Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro’s tours already ended early when they both sustained injuries against Arsenal in the previous match.

Meanwhile Altay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and new signing Josh Zirkzee are all training in Manchester and did not join the tour.

This could potentially leave a threadbare squad to choose from tonight.

Andre Onana will almost certainly be in goal after having been rested against Betis.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who could be close to a West Ham switch, is likely to continue at right back.

In fact we expect the same back four as last time, with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Harry Amass completing the quartet. Jonny Evans is also an option.

Amass has been one of the stars of pre-season and is staking a great claim to be Shaw’s backup this season, with Tyrell Malacia still two months away from fitness.

Another youngster who has made a strong impression is midfielder Toby Collyer and we have a hunch he might be given a start tonight, to see what he can do against Arne Slot’s side. He must be in with a shout of being promoted to the first team squad this season.

He could partner Casemiro, who has looked excellent so far on the tour, raising hopes he could recapture his 2022 form after a disappointing 2023/24 season.

Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay are other options although Ten Hag seems to have phased out McTominay’s existence as a holding midfielder, so the latter seems unlikely.

The boss said on Thursday that Rashford’s injury was “not too bad”, so we have predicted he will be fit enough to start against Liverpool on the left wing.

Another star of pre-season, Amad, should keep his place on the right wing, with Jadon Sancho once again operating as a false nine.

Last time out Sancho was supported by McTominay, but we expect Mason Mount to play in the number 10 slot this time. He, too, has shown some good form in America.

Here, then, is our predicted XI for the half past midnight kick-off (UK time):

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