Man United take on Liverpool this weekend in a mouthwatering Premier League clash.
This weekend sees long-term rivals Manchester United take on Liverpool at Old Trafford and SillySeason have put together their combined XI.
After seeing Michael Owen’s pick, which consisted of eight United players, we thought we’d create our own team of the two clubs.
Below you can see who made our XI.
Formation – 4-2-2-2
Goalkeeper – David De Gea
Simon Mignolet has made a massive improvement in goal for Liverpool and yes, David De Gea did nearly end up in Real madrid and therefore his head might not be there or he may not even feature.
However, the Red Devils have already claimed they plan on giving him his chance and utilising him now he has remained in Old Trafford and he is far superior to Mignolet in various aspects.
De Gea is one of the best goalkeepers in the league and if he had made the move to Madrid, he may have established himself as one of the best keepers in Europe. Therefore, I chose him.
Left-Back –Â Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw has been on fire recently – as has Joe Gomez for Liverpool to be fair – but after a series of outstanding performances from the United left-back (not just for the Red Devils but for England too), he deserves his place in this combined XI.
Centre-back –Â Martin Skrtel
Martin Skrtel has been the heart and rock of Liverpool’s defence not just this season so far but for the past few seasons as well. He always makes a tackle if needs be and he is arguably the Reds best current defender. Not only can he defend but he can score with his head too.
He shows no signs of getting worse and he remains integral to Liverpool’s squad.
Centre-Back – Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling has really come on in leaps and bounds and he has become a fantastic defender. He has been one of the Red Devil’s best players so far this season and he is now a key part of the squad.
He’s superb in the air and not only does he perform sensationally doing his defensive duties but he is also capable of passing the ball and setting teammates up, as he has proven to have quite a good crossing ability too.
Right-Back –Â Nathaniel Clyne
Clyne will certainly bring a little bit of pace to this combined XI, as he makes deadly runs and bombs up and down the right wing for Liverpool week-in, week-out.
He can defend and then get up and help the attack if needs be with his fantastic dribbling ability. Since his move from Southampton, he has already made a name for himself at Anfield this early on and he has come in and made the right-back position his own. He definitely deserves a place in this XI.
Centre-Midfielder – Jordan Henderson
He took the captain’s armband off Steven Gerrard for the 2015/16 campaign and it really doesn’t appear to have fazed him. He has been superb for the Reds in the centre of midfield again so far this season and he has been one of the club’s best players so far with four games gone.
His passing ability is phenomenal and he gets back and contributes massively if the Reds need to defend as well, making him a valuable asset for the Anfield side.
Centre-Midfielder – Morgan Schneiderlin
Since making the move to Old Trafford, the Frenchman has been fantastic in the middle of the pitch for Man United. He isn’t afraid of a tackle and will get stuck in if he needs to and he is also capable of playing some killer passes through to the wings or the strikers.
He’s settled in nicely with the Red Devils and he has continued to show the form that got him the move in the first place. He’s a definite for my combined XI.
Attacking Midfielder – Memphis Depay
Although Memphis Depay has yet to score a Premier League goal, he has still proven to be a thorn in defence’s sides since his move.
He was absolutely extraordinary when Man United played Newcastle and he was unfortunate not to get his name on the scoresheet. He is a superb dribbler and he is also capable of troubling the keeper with some fantastic shots from long range.
He troubles defences each week for United and I am sure that he will hit the back of the net for the Red Devils in the league soon if he continues to reproduce his current form each week.
Attacking Midfielder – Philippe Coutinho
He just keeps getting better.
The Brazilian has been absolutely amazing for the Reds since his move from Inter Milan and in the past two years specifically, he has proven to be arguably one of the best players in the Premier League and certainly one of the best attacking midfielders.
Not only can he find the back of the net himself but with his deadly passing ability, he is capable of setting up the strikers who are in-front of him too. He is fantastic on the ball and he has a brilliant dribbling ability and he causes problems for the opposition all the time. Coutinho is certainly one of the Reds best players and that’s why he is in the combined XI.
Striker – Christian Benteke
Benteke has had a sensational start to his Liverpool career. he may only have bagged one goal so far but he constantly terrorizes opposition defenders with his aerail ability and his goalscoring and shooting ability.
He always causes problems by making deadly runs in behind the defence and when he does have a shot at goal, it’s usually very accurate. He’s adapting well and if he continues to perform to his current standard then he can go on to have a successful career with the Reds.
Striker – Wayne Rooney
Rooney still remains a key figure for Man United.
He has yet to score for the Red Devils this year but he remains United’s main and best attacking threat (unless Anthony Martial starts banging in the goals now he has moved to Old Trafford!).
He is superb at long shots and has a fantastic finishing ability but not only can he find the back of the net himself but he also likes setting up his teammates and getting himself assists too.
He’s still a key figure for United and he deserves his place up-front in my combined XI.
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