3 Manchester United stars who could torment Liverpool

2. Juan Mata

Juan Mata

United’s major, statement-making January signing will be a major threat to Liverpool on Sunday. Despite being forced to start from the right wing, Mata has had licence to roam across the pitch to pick up the ball and find those pockets of space that he loves to work in. He is likely to be given a similar role on Sunday as it is highly unlikely that either Rooney or Robin van Persie will be dropped from the team but he has proven that it is a role that he can perform admirably in, even if it doesn’t show off his full capabilities.

The Spanish magician has maintained a 90% pass accuracy in his six United games so far, higher than anyone at United in the Premier League, creating 17 chances at a rate of almost three per game.

3. Rafael

Rafael da Silva

United will be hoping that Rafael is fit to play in this one as he remains an injury doubt currently. The Brazilian may not have had the best of seasons but against West Brom, he was well and truly back to his best. United have struggled in the right-back area when Rafael has been missing, with Chris Smalling, Antonio Valencia and Phil Jones all covering at stages this year, with none of them really convincing anyone that they can perform well in that role. There have been many times this season that you have seen these United right-backs out of position due to the simple fact that they just aren’t full-backs.

It would seem that Rafael’s return to form has come at exactly the right time. It makes a huge difference that it is his natural position so he knows how to play that role and can offer the correct balance on that side of the pitch. With Liverpool likely to be fielding either make-shift left-back Glen Johnson or Aly Cissokho, there is potential for Rafael to cause all sorts of problems on the overlap.

He has created 13 chances this season and has won an impressive 55% of his 51 attempted tackles.