17 December 2023 , 07:49
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Manchester United could find Sunday's clash with Liverpool easier without suspended captain Bruno Fernandes, according to ex-Red Danny Murphy.
Erik ten Hag's side will make the trip to Anfield without their skipper, after Fernandes picked up his fifth yellow card of the season, this one for dissent during last weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth. While many United fans are fearful of how the game could go without their captain, Murphy claims it could provide Ten Hag with the chance to field a more solid midfield.
In Fernandes' absence, Murphy also made the suprising claim that Marcus Rashford should don the armband instead. The England forward is in the midst of some of the worst form of his career to date and has spent the last week battling illness, which has raised question marks over how fit he'll be at Anfield.
Tackling the topic of Fernandes' suspension, Murphy wrote in the Daily Mail: "The United captain's suspension makes the manager's game-plan easier."
He continued, adding: "Without him, United can be more solid with a midfield three of Sofyan Amrabat, Kobbie Mainoo and Scott McTominay, and have pace on the flanks for counter-attacks by Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony.
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"If Bruno occupied one of those positions, he wouldn't be quick enough in transition and this way McTominay can get forward to support Rasmus Hojlund."
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Bruno Fernandes will miss the trip to Liverpool after being booked in the last league game (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Murphy also made clear that despite Rashford's dire start to the season, given the scrutiny surrounding Ten Hag's job in the Old Trafford hot-seat, it would be in the Dutchman's best interests to ensure the England ace returns to the starting line-up.
"If I'm Ten Hag fighting for my job, I am putting Rashford straight back in the team after illness — with the armband," Murphy claimed. "I'm sure some fans won't like it given his disappointing form this season but a manager's job is to get his best players playing. Rashford is one of them so take a risk, give him extra responsibility and see how he does."
United have a disastrous record at the home of fierce rivals Liverpool in recent years, with their last league win coming in January of 2016. Ten Hag knows anything close to a repeat performance of last year's humiliating 7-0 defeat could cost him his role as Red Devils boss.