Liverpool and Manchester United combined XI

With the Premier League action getting back underway on Saturday after the international break, there is only one game people are currently talking about.

Saturday’s late afternoon kick off is without doubt the biggest match in English football, Manchester United vs Liverpool. The fixture always throws up the same old debates between both sets of fans. This year many pundits and fans alike have been saying ‘he wouldn’t get in Liverpools side’ and he wouldn’t fit in Uniteds team’.

So at The Sports Lowdown we have taken an in depth look at both squads that are available for selection and put together a combined eleven.

First thing to decide was the formation. Looking at the way both sides have lined up at the start of the season, we have chosen a 4-2-3-1 system.

Goalkeeper

David De Gea – Man United

Yet to appear this season for United due to the speculation surrounding his future, but with him now officially staying at the 20 time champions, he is without doubt the best keeper either of these great rivals have available.

Full Backs

Nathaniel Clyne – Liverpool

The right back position goes to Liverpool. The England international has been one of the leagues top performing defenders over the past two seasons and partnering that with his impressive start to the season with Liverpool, we just give him the edge. United’s right back Matteo Darmian can consider himself unlucky not be involved after a brilliant start to life in the Premier league, being voted United’s player of the month on Thursday. In a year’s time this one could easily go the other way.

Luke Shaw – Man United

Relatively straight forward, Liverpools current man in possession of the left back shirt is 18 year old Joe Gomez and in fairness to him he has impressed since his summer move from Charlton. But after a disappointing first season at Old Trafford, Shaw has started this season looking fresh, fit and sharp and with that has made the left back shirt his own for club and country.

Centre Backs

Chris Smalling – Man United

Always had the potential to become a top defender but since his transfer to Old Trafford five years ago, he has failed to progress at the rate United and England fans would of liked him too. This season however he has looked like a new player, dominating the opposition’s strikers and leading the United back four.

Martin Skrtel – Liverpool

Rivalling him for his spot in this side was Daley Blind who has started the season relatively well in partnership with Smalling, but I still have doubts on whether he can play at centre half in the big games. Skrtel has been Liverpool’s most consistent defender over the past two seasons and has a record of performing well in the big games.