Combined current Manchester United - Liverpool XI

A bitter rivalry continues as Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United and Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool begin yet another chapter in what is one of the most watched and talked about footballing rivalries in any league, in any season.Two of the most successful teams in England will enter Old Trafford this weekend without the likes of their legends - Gerrard, Scholes, Giggs and Carragher – but even with new players from all around the globe set to feature, the atmosphere will be the same as ever before because the fans from both sides are what make this game special.It will be the first time in the Premier League that neither side will field an academy product in the tie, showing how far the two sides have evolved since their rivalry began.What follows is a combined XI of Manchester United and Liverpool players, based on their performances in the first four Premier League games this season:

#1 Goalkeeper

Simon Mignolet, Liverpool

While the most important story with regards to goalkeepers going into this weekend’s game is David De Gea extending his contract at Manchester United after spending all of the transfer window itching for a move to Spanish giants, Real Madrid, it is important to note that both current first-choice keepers – Romero and Mignolet – have kept three clean sheets in the opening four games for their respective clubs.

New signing for Manchester United, World Cup finalist with Argentina, Sergio Romero could easily have made the list, in place of the Liverpool goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, but it was the former’s mistakes against Swansea in the match before the international break that sees the Liverpool No.1 playing goalkeeper for this combined team.

Romero could lose his spot in the first-team and find himself on the bench this weekend as the newly re-signed David De Gea may stand between the sticks for the club he has committed the next four years to.

#2 Defence

Matteo Darmian, Manchester United

Liverpool’s new right-back, Nathaniel Clyne, who almost signed for Manchester United in the summer, could’ve found himself on the list if it weren’t for the spectacular performances of Matteo Darmian.

Another new signing this season, Darmian has been one of the Premier League’s best defenders so far this season, with 4 tackles and 3 clearances per game, on average. His performances have not gone unnoticed as the player signed from Italian club, Torino, won Manchester United’s player of the month award for August.

Martin Skrtel, Liverpool

A defensive leader with tons of bravery, Martin Skrtel has been the rock in Liverpool’s defence for many years now – joining the English club in January of 2008.

This season, Skrtel has been exceptional at the back with an unbelievable 8.8 clearances per game and an average of 2.8 interceptions to go with it. His manager will be looking to the Slovakian captain to negate their opponent’s attacking threat.

Chris Smalling, Manchester United

There was a lot of discontent amongst Manchester United fans as the centre-back pairing of Smalling and Blind (or Rojo) did not appear enough to do well in the season and they were hoping for a big name to strengthen the position.

The performances of Smalling and Blind have silenced these demands; the English defender also being nominated for the Premier League player of the month award.

Luke Shaw, Manchester United

The third Manchester United defender in the back-four and the older of the two teams’ left-backs at 20 years of age, Luke Shaw makes the team because of his attacking and defensive contributions.

Arriving at Old Trafford for a huge fee in the summer of 2014/15, Shaw has had a large amount of time on the sidelines; this season, in the first four games, he has looked worth the price paid for his services.

Shaw’s understanding with Dutch international, Memphis Depay, has been exciting and his co-ordination with the back four has been sturdy and consistent.

#3 Midfield

Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool

Brazilian international, Philippe Coutinho has been one of Liverpool’s bright spots so far this season. The solitary goal he has so far this season doesn’t do justice to the impact Coutinho has had on games, always looking capable of turning the game on its head.

If Liverpool are to do well this season, it’ll be the performances of the 23-year-old, Coutinho, that’ll play a huge role.

Morgan Schneiderlin, Manchester United

It is fair to say that Schneiderlin will be the successor to Michael Carrick in the Manchester United midfield, as the English veteran’s game time gradually reduces.

Having started every game so far this season, the new signing – with 3.8 tackles and 3.3 interceptions per game - is not only the successor but also challenging Carrick for a position in the team.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Manchester United

As details about the transfer fee paid by Manchester United for the services of the German international were revealed recently, it has become apparent that the English club has got a real bargain.

Not only is Schweinsteiger a world-class passer of the ball, the 31-year old has slowed the game down as the less experienced players started to panic. Bastian will also act as a mentor off the pitch to players like Andreas Pereira and those in the reserve and youth teams trying to make it at Manchester United.

Juan Mata, Manchester United

The Spanish player may not feature for Manchester United in his favoured position just behind the striker but he’s doing a very good job at cutting in from the right-wing. The presence of Darmian bombing down the wing and contributing to every attack gives Mata an added crossing option.

With only 1 goal and 1 assist, however, so far this season, Louis Van Gaal will look to Mata to provide some creativity to his team’s attack.

#4 Attack

Wayne Rooney, Manchester United

While he continues to play as the leading, lone striker for Manchester United, Rooney finds himself as the No.10 in this combined team. With no goals and no assists in the Premier League this season, Rooney will hope that his international goals – which saw him surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton as England’s top goalscorer – will rub off at club level.

His lack of goals may be due to the lack of supply to him or the fact that he is isolated as the lone striker but it is clear that Rooney is far better suited to being a supporting striker and dropping into the hole.

Christian Benteke, Liverpool

With the long-term injury to Sturridge, Benteke, like Rooney, has been leading the line for his club alone to very little success. While he’s good in the air and holding up the ball, the lack of skill at beating defenders limits the opportunities for the Liverpool midfield to play balls through the centre and they have to rely on crosses – where Benteke is outnumbered regularly.

An important winner against Bournemouth is the only success Benteke has had in front of the goal this season.

Substitutes:

Sergio Romero – Manchester United, Joseph Gomez – Liverpool, Nathaniel Clyne – Liverpool, Daley Blind – Manchester United, James Milner – Liverpool, Jordon Ibe – Liverpool, Memphis Depay – Manchester United.