Four key Man Utd stars sat out training just days ahead of the crunch derby clash with Liverpool as boss Ruben Amorim continues the struggle to turn his side’s season around. Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Amad Diallo and Casemiro were all absent following their involvement in international fixtures in the past fortnight.
Is it time for United fans to panic?
The decision to rest the four stars is considered a precaution rather than a response to new injuries. United are already expected to be without Noussair Mazraoui due to an injury that has kept him out of the last two games and prevented him from playing in Morocco's recent World Cup qualifier. Lisandro Martinez also missed training as he continues his rehabilitation from major knee surgery and is unlikely to return to the squad before the November international break. To compensate for the reduced numbers, several academy players, including Shea Lacey, Jim Thwaites, and Jack Fletcher, joined the first-team training session. However, Ayden Heaven, who had been involved with England's Under 20s, was absent from training after being withdrawn at half-time against Switzerland last Friday.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportBragging rights at stake in Anfield clash
Liverpool, currently second in the league, will look to bounce back from a three-game losing streak that saw them drop from the top of the table, and were replaced by Arsenal. Man Utd sit 10th after winning their last game against Sunderland, but are struggling for consistency under Amorim. While history and rivalry always play a role, Liverpool's home advantage at Anfield is significant. United have not won at Anfield in their last nine Premier League visits. This match also marks the 100th meeting between the two clubs at Anfield. Liverpool will be without Alisson, due to a hamstring injury, but Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch are expected to be fit. Manchester United will be without Lisandro Martinez who is still recovering from a long-term injury. Liverpool boss Slot provided an update on Alisson, confirming he’s still injured. Slot said: “"He's not training with us, so he's out. Like I always say, it's so difficult to say (how long he will be out), because the end phase of rehab can always give you positives and negatives. But he will not play this weekend, and also not next week."
Turning point for under-fire Amorim?
It’s been another woeful season so far for Manchester United, but the win over Sunderland, before the international break, backed up by beating Liverpool would give fans real cause for positivity. And it would massively ease the fierce pressure on the Portuguese boss. Since his appointment in November last year, United have won only nine of his 33 Premier League matches, losing 17 and drawing seven. This gives him a Premier League win rate of 27.3 per cent, the lowest of any permanent United manager in the Premier League era. His side finished 15th last season and are currently 10th. They were also dumped out of the Carabao Cup in the second round by Grimsby Town. Despite these struggles, Amorim has received public backing from co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Getty Images SportWhat comes next?
Amorim will speak ahead of the clash with Liverpool, where he is expected to give an update on the quartet. United will have to be at their absolute best to overcome Liverpool, who have lost their last two games, as their form on the road is poor. Amorim’s side are winless in their last eight Premier League away games since beating Leicester City 3-0 in March. The last time they went longer without a league win on the road is way back in September 1989 under legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson where it was a staggering 11 matches.