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Football

10th Mar 2018

After late Pogba blow, Mourinho has gone all guns blazing for Liverpool clash

Jordan Henderson is only fit enough for Liverpool's bench

Darragh Murphy

It’s not the starting XI that Jose Mourinho had planned on fielding but Manchester United supporters are excited at the attacking nature of the side picked by their manager this lunchtime.

A gash to his thigh in training on Friday has ruled club record signing Paul Pogba out of Manchester United’s crunch Premier League clash against Liverpool and Mourinho has therefore been forced into something of a reshuffle.

Team news has arrived from Old Trafford ahead of the 12.30pm kick-off and, as expected, Pogba will play no part in the game.

Mourinho has brought Marcus Rashford and Juan Mata into what is now a very attacking team and they will start alongside Alexis Sanchez in support of front man Romelu Lukaku.

Ashley Young will have his work cut out for him at left back and he has been tasked with keeping the free-scoring Mohamed Salah at bay for 90 minutes which will be much easier said than done.

Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane predictably complete Liverpool’s terrifying front three while Jurgen Klopp has been forced to leave captain Jordan Henderson out of his starting XI after the midfielder picked up a dead leg in Champions League action midweek.

With much speculation over what gear Mourinho will be comfortable shifting his bus into, it makes for a fascinating afternoon as the battle for second place heats up.