Erik ten Hag addresses Bruno Fernandes replacement issue ahead of Manchester United vs Liverpool FC

Erik ten Hag has remained tight-lipped on how he plans to replace Bruno Fernandes when Manchester United face Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Fernandes is unavailable for the trip to Anfield as he is serving a one-game suspension. The 29-year-old was shown a fifth yellow card of the season for dissent during last weekend's 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth.

It means United have lost their captain and creator-in-chief for one of the season's biggest games and there is no direct replacement for the No.10 role. Scott McTominay appears the obvious option to move further forward but speaking ahead of the game, Ten Hag refused to give too much away.

ALSO READ: United could give their key man a new role vs Liverpool

ALSO READ: How United should line up vs Liverpool in Premier League fixture

Asked who can replace Fernandes' creative influence, the Reds boss told MUTV: "We have all sorts who can do that. And we have our ideas, as I say, how we can create chances.

"No, [the stand-in captain] is not a secret, but first I want to tell the player and the team who it is."

United fans travelling to Anfield this afternoon will not have fond memories of the journey, having lost their last two trips 4-0 and 7-0. Ten Hag accused his players of being unprofessional after last season's humiliating defeat and has urged them to show their character this time round after a tough few weeks.

"Well, as you say, character. That is what we definitely need," he added. "But also, go there, and as you talk about character, and you talk about belief and confidence to go there, and everyone knows it's tough there.

"But also, it's great for a player, a team, to go there, to challenge them. And we know we have to play our best football but, I think