Team News: Boost For Man Utd But Quartet Doubtful For Liverpool

The international break is now over so we can start to look forward to ‘proper’ football returning and this weekend’s big fixture sees Liverpool entertain Manchester United on Monday night.

Ahead of the game, ManUtd.com have provided some early team news for both sides and it looks as though Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp will both be putting some of their players through late fitness tests over the coming days.

Let’s start with United and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be looking to make his comeback after missing the last six games in all competitions due to a niggling thigh injury that he suffered while away on international duty in September.

The playmaker was withdrawn from the Armenia squad for their recent World Cup qualifiers against Romania and Poland in order to remain at Carrington to work on his fitness so we’ll have to wait and see whether he’s recovered in time to face Liverpool.

United will also be making a late check on Luke Shaw after he was left out of the England squad for their qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia due to fitness concerns having missed United’s last five matches.

Marouane Fellaini will be available for selection on Monday after only missing the Belgian’s win over Gibraltar due to suspension but defender Phil Jones will continue to miss out as he recovers from a serious knee ligament injury.

However, Mourinho does have some positive news as the Monday night kick off means Sergio Romero, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia will have more time to recover following their exploits in South America so all three should be available to face Liverpool.

As for Liverpool, Klopp is sweating on the fitness of several of his players as the Merseysiders could be missing up to four key men for the game against their fierce north-west rivals.

Adam Lallana is a doubt after being ruled out of England duty with a groin injury while Dejan Lovren is also facing a race against time to prove his fitness after aggravating a groin/back injury during the 2-1 win over Swansea before the international break.

Nathaniel Clyne was also ruled out of England’s World Cup qualifying double-header due to a knock he suffered at the Liberty Stadium while Georginio Wijnaldum limped out of Holland’s loss to France on Monday with a hamstring injury.

All four players will be assessed by the Liverpool medical team over the coming days before their involvement against United at Anfield on Monday night is determined.