Liverpool and Manchester United combined XI: Only three Reds make the cut while Jose Mourinho's players dominate defence and midfield

  • Liverpool take on Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday at noon 
  • United are joint-top while Liverpool are seventh in the early top flight table 
  • Which players would make a combined starting line-up featuring the two sides?
  • Sportsmail has selected its team ahead of the highly anticipated encounter 
  •  Liverpool vs United betting tips and odds plus Kane in a 22/1 double

The return of the Premier League on Saturday coincides with a huge encounter between North-West rivals Liverpool and Manchester United.

United have started the season in stunning fashion, joining Manchester City as the early pacesetters in the top flight, while Liverpool have stuttered at points and struggled for consistency.

Each side features a number of talented players, but imagine a world in which the two teams were merged. Which players - if everybody was fit - would make a combined line-up? Well, wonder no more - Sportsmail has put in the leg work and picked a team.

Jose Mourinho's team dominate Sportsmail's combined Liverpool and Manchester United XI

Jose Mourinho's team dominate Sportsmail's combined Liverpool and Manchester United XI

David de Gea (goalkeeper)


Liverpool's troubles between the sticks are well documented, while Manchester United's David de Gea is comfortably one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Simon Mignolet, Loris Karius, Danny Ward or the Spanish stopper? This one is a no-brainer.

Antonio Valencia (right-back)

Antonio Valencia arrived at Old Trafford as a flying winger but has developed into a perfectly capable right back during his time in the North West. This is probably Liverpool's strongest position in defence, with Nathaniel Clyne, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez as options. None of those mentioned are as consistent as Valencia has been this campaign. 

David De Gea gets the nod as goalkeeper ahead of the likes of Liverpool's Simon Mignolet

David De Gea gets the nod as goalkeeper ahead of the likes of Liverpool's Simon Mignolet

Eric Bailly (central defence)

The Ivorian centre back has oozed class since he joined United from Villarreal last summer. He has also played a key role in a staggering return of just two goals conceded from seven Premier League games so far this season. Compare that to Liverpool's 12 and you get a sense of the standard of the two defences.

Phil Jones (central defence)

Phil Jones has never quite lived up to expectations. It says a lot, therefore, about each of Liverpool's options in this role that they cannot be tipped ahead of him. In all fairness to Jones, he has been a model of consistency since the season kicked off and if he can stay fit, he can be a serious asset for Jose Mourinho this season.

Phil Jones is often maligned but has been a model of consistency over United's seven games

Phil Jones is often maligned but has been a model of consistency over United's seven games

Daley Blind (left-back)

Not a natural left back and Daley Blind has shared duties with Ashley Young in United's seven matches, playing just four games in the league. Even so, Alberto Moreno still looks shaky for Liverpool and Andy Robertson has not yet put together a run of games, so Blind gets the nod.

Paul Pogba (defensive midfielder)

It has been a difficult start to the season for Paul Pogba, who has been hamstrung by injury. That said, he is clearly developing into the player United hoped he would become when they broke the transfer record to sign him and he's a stronger option than the sometimes inconsistent Emre Can, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum.

Nemanja Matic's superb displays for United have raised questions over why Chelsea sold him

Nemanja Matic's superb displays for United have raised questions over why Chelsea sold him

Nemanja Matic (defensive midfielder)

Nemanja Matic's transfer to United seemed like a poor call by Chelsea in the summer and has proven to be one by his stunning start to life at Old Trafford. His work in the middle of the park, unheralded by most, has been a key part of United's brilliant start. May lack some creativity but Matic is a solid eight out of 10 most weeks.

Mohamed Salah (right winger)

Finally, a Liverpool player. He may have flopped at Chelsea but Mohamed Salah has impressed for the Reds. It should come as little surprise - he was exceptional during his time in Italy. The Egyptian will have been buoyed by his impact during the international break, and he gets the nod ahead of the likes of Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Mohamed Salah is the first Liverpool player selected and has justified it with his performances

Mohamed Salah is the first Liverpool player selected and has justified it with his performances

Philippe Coutinho (attacking midfielder)

Jurgen Klopp was desperate to keep him in the summer. It's easy to see why after his display against Newcastle. The Brazilian has magic in those feet of his and there are few better creative talents in the Premier League. United probably lack a player of his style in the hole. One of the reasons Liverpool have hope going into Saturday's encounter.

Sadio Mane (left winger)

Out of action for Saturday after an injury on international duty and Liverpool will surely miss him. Mane's arrival coincided with the Klopp project taking off. Marcus Rashford has impressed for United in the same role but it has mainly been as a substitute, while Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial have been rotated. Mane, consistently, is a threat on the left.

Retaining Philippe Coutinho was a major positive for Liverpool - he scored against Newcastle

Retaining Philippe Coutinho was a major positive for Liverpool - he scored against Newcastle

Romelu Lukaku (striker)

A growing issue for Liverpool is their lack of a clinical finisher in front of goal. Roberto Firmino is a more effective forward than many would have imagined but he is not on the level of Lukaku.

The Belgian has ended any doubts about his suitability for the top tier of teams with a stunning return of seven Premier League goals in seven games. The obvious choice up front.

FULL COMBINED XI: De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Jones, Blind; Pogba, Matic; Salah, Coutinho, Mane; Lukaku. 

Romelu Lukaku has scored seven goals in seven Premier League games for United
Sportsmail's full combined line-up for the two sides

Romelu Lukaku is the last player selected for Sportsmail's combined line-up of the teams