Manchester United fans have fresh concerns ahead of their Premier League showdown with Liverpool, as four major stars — Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Matheus Cunha, and Amad Diallo — all sat out of training this week. With the derby looming large at Anfield, boss Ruben Amorim faces another test in a season that continues to hang by a thread.
Major Concerns for Amorim’s Squad
The visual of United’s experienced players absent from the most recent training session has induced understandable concern among fans. Club sources suggest the quartet’s non-attendance to be precautionary, as opposed to fresh injuries, having played in recent international games. Even so, it leaves Amorim biting his nails about their fitness just days out from one of the season’s biggest games.
Adding to United’s woes, Noussair Mazraoui remains sidelined with a knock that ruled him out of Morocco’s World Cup qualifier, while Lisandro Martinez continues rehabilitation from knee surgery and isn’t expected back before the November international break. With defensive options thinning out, Amorim was forced to bring in several academy players — including Shea Lacey, Jim Thwaites, and Jack Fletcher — to make up the numbers in training.
Whereas Ayden Heaven was out with a ‘niggle’ following injury on England Under-20 duty. The lack of senior options only further reinforces the seriousness of United’s issues ahead of that trip to Anfield, where they have not won in the league for over nine years. The mood around Carrington is said to be stressed, with calls for improvement and unity from fans as the heat rises on both players and management. The tone is fragile and uncertain, despite hope.
Liverpool Eye Bounce-Back at Fortress Anfield
Liverpool, currently two points off the Premier League pace are also in need of a consolation after flattened out with an unexpected three-match losing streak which enabled Arsenal to take over top spot. Slot’s troops dominate at home, and despite United’s recent struggles at Anfield, they will aim to keep their winning record when the sides meet for the 100th time at the stadium.
But the Reds themselves have issues to deal with. The main-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains out with a hamstring injury. Slot confirmed in his pre-match press briefing:
“He’s not practicing with us, so he’s out. It’s hard to say how long he’ll be out for, but he definitely won’t play this weekend, and also not next week.”
The bright spot for Liverpool is that Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch should return, bolstering both midfield and defence. For United, however, the question is will Amorim’s weary stars be up and fit — because anything less than maximum strength may be lethal against in-form Liverpool striking options.
Author’s Take: Time Running Out for Amorim
For Ruben Amorim, this clash may define his Manchester United tenure. Despite strong backing from co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Portuguese manager’s record makes grim reading — just nine wins in 33 league games, a mere 27.3% win rate, and a 15th-place finish last season. United’s 10th-place standing now and early Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town have done little to ease fan frustration.
A victory at Anfield would be transformative — both to morale and Amorim’s job security. For United supporters worldwide, this weekend feels less like just another game — and more like a final chance to believe again. Victory could rewrite the narrative entirely.
If Amorim is to silence critics, his men must deliver not just effort, but identity — the very thing United have lacked for far too long. Beating Liverpool at Anfield may be a tall order, but it’s the only statement that can truly reset the tone of their season.
