Liverpool-Manchester United Combined XI: Phil Thompson's picks
Sunday 22 March 2015 11:43, UK
We challenged Anfield legend Phil Thompson to select his best combined starting XI from Liverpool and Manchester United ahead of Sunday's clash, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
Some might not be surprised to see Thommo's entire backline consist of Liverpool defenders, with the Reds heading into Super Sunday's match-up with seven clean sheets from their last nine Premier League games.
Roy Hodgson will also be encouraged to see Thommo has gone for an entirely English midfield, with all four named in the latest England squad, while there are two other homegrown players in attack.
The Soccer Saturday pundit is favouring Brendan Rodgers' 3-4-3 system over the 4-3-3 formation successfully deployed by Louis van Gaal in United’s 3-0 victory over Tottenham last weekend.
Thommo’s combined XI: David de Gea; Emre Can, Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho; Raheem Sterling, Michael Carrick, Jordan Henderson, Ashley Young; Philippe Coutinho, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge.
He told Sky Sports: "The defence picks itself with Liverpool’s defensive record of late, while United have had so many changes at the back. The only real decision was between Sakho and Dejan Lovren, who has been greatly improved.
"I thought Carrick was man of the match against Tottenham last weekend and his absence has been a big miss, while Henderson has been fantastic for Liverpool.
"Young has been one of United’s bright spots this season while Sterling has adapted to his new wing-back role, which allows Rodgers to use Coutinho and Adam Lallana in their best positions.
"In attack, Sturridge is getting back to his best, which was always going to take some time after such a long lay-off, while there’s no doubt that Rooney’s best position is in attack.
"The absence of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao benefits Rooney. He tends to drop deep to find space when playing with Van Persie while he just has no understanding with Falcao."
