Manchester United head to Anfield on Sunday looking for back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time under Ruben Amorim. A 2–0 victory over Sunderland before the international break—secured by goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Šeško—gave the team a lift, but they remain 10th and short of rhythm.
The context offers a window: Liverpool have hit a poor patch, losing three straight in all competitions, which makes this trip feel less daunting than usual.
Team news is mixed. Amorim has ruled Lisandro Martínez out of the Liverpool game despite the defender’s return to team training after surgery on an ACL injury suffered in February. The Argentine’s leadership and aggression have been missed all season, and while his recovery is on track, the more realistic target appears to be a return later in October, potentially against Brighton.
On the flanks, Noussair Mazraoui is the main question mark. The Morocco international has endured a stop-start campaign and missed the last two fixtures with a muscle problem.
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Early signals suggested he could be back after the break, and United remain hopeful he will make the squad at Anfield, but Amorim has also cautioned against setting firm timelines. If he does not make it, United’s options at full-back will again be stretched against Liverpool’s width and tempo.
Bruno Fernandes has been managed carefully after international duty and sat out a training session this week for recovery. The expectation inside the camp is that the captain will play. His availability matters: he is central to United’s chance creation and pressing triggers, especially away from home where transitions decide so much of the game.
One fresh concern is Ayden Heaven, who picked up a knock with England Under-20s and is a major doubt for the weekend. While he is not a regular first-teamer, his absence narrows depth at centre-back during a period when Martínez is still sidelined.
All told, Amorim’s immediate challenge is a familiar one: find a stable defensive platform without two preferred options and rely on Fernandes to knit attacks together. With Liverpool wobbling and United buoyed by Sunderland, the opportunity is there—but only if the visitors manage the wide areas and withstand the early surge that Anfield usually brings.