Manchester United could give their key man a new role vs Liverpool

Winless in eight, one goal, five defeats and 18 goals conceded. Manchester United's record at Anfield since they last won is bad enough but it has been appalling in the last 15 years.

They have only pulled away from the ground as the victors on three of the last 17 occasions. United won nine of their previous 17.

Who replaces Fernandes?

Bruno Fernandes damaged his leadership credentials by receiving a(nother) booking for dissent that triggered his one-match suspension for today. A greater loss is his efficacy. Fernandes is responsible for three winning goals in the Premier League this season and United do not have an obvious replacement.

Hannibal Mejbri has played behind the striker a handful of times but his best work is without a football and he almost got sent off in five minutes at Anfield in April 2022. Donny van de Beek is purportedly a No.10 but there has been scant evidence of that in a United shirt. He has played 19 minutes this season and is not a trooper to take to Anfield.

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Scott McTominay is United's top scorer and could push further forward, though it could compromise whatever game plan Erik ten Hag has conceived.

Liverpool to see off another United manager?

David Moyes was sacked 37 days after defeat to Liverpool. Louis van Gaal lasted 74 more days after a surrender at Anfield. Jose Mourinho's residency ended two days after he patrolled the Anfield dugout and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer filmed his exit interview four weeks after the 5-0 humiliation at Old Trafford.

Ralf Rangnick diagnosed open-heart surgery for the United squad three days after