15 December 2023 , 22:26
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Bruno Fernandes is the only Manchester United player who'd stand a chance of getting into Liverpool's first XI, according to Kop legend Graeme Souness.
United captain Fernandes, suspended for Sunday's clash between the two Premier League titans, has earned Souness' seal of approval, despite being part of the the Red Devils side who were thrashed 7-0 at Anfield last season. The Portuguese midfielder has arguably been United's best signing over the past decade, scoring 69 goals and registering 59 assists in 208 games.
Still, Fernandes has been unable to achieve the kind of success which Liverpool have enjoyed during that period, with Souness declaring that manager Jurgen Klopp has "better players in every position." Writing in his Daily Mail column, the ex-Liverpool captain and manager asked: "Tell me, who would Liverpool take from Man United?
"Bruno Fernandes, perhaps. I think he would be a star in Liverpool's team, because he has all the qualities you need to be a top player. Right now, however, there is something missing from his game. That is why, from the 22 who line up at kick-off, I'd say the best 11 players will all be in red of the home team."
Plenty of combined XIs have been debated in the lead-up to Sunday's game, one which Souness is "convinced" that Klopp's stars will win. Ten Hag will select a different captain to lead his team out at Anfield in Fernandes' absence, due to him picking up five yellow cards in the first half of the season, and the armband also won't be able to go the injured Harry Maguire.
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"I know [who my captain will be]," the United manager told reporters at his pre-match press conference on Friday. "Harry will not be available for the coming games, but we don't think it's long-term. Luke Shaw trained this morning, so we think he's available for Sunday. Marcus Rashford will be back, [Anthony] Martial not."
Get involved! Do you agree with Graeme Souness? Give us your picks in the comments section.
Bruno Fernandes is suspended for the Liverpool game (OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)Some Red Devils legends believe that Fernandes shouldn't be captain at all, though, including Roy Keane. Gary Neville agrees, recently telling Webby & O'Neill: "I can see exactly where Roy is coming from because, honestly, I think if you said to Bruno at this moment in time, 'Would you want to be captain?' [He would say no]
"I personally think it would be better for Bruno [if he wasn't captain]. If there was a Steve Bruce or a Roy Keane in that dressing room now, and Bruno could just sit there as a talented player - fantastic player, world-class talent - and play, that would be the best thing for Bruno Fernandes.
"I don't think at this moment in time Erik ten Hag will take the captaincy off him. Even though people are saying he should, I can see why Erik ten Hag won't do because that would be another massive disruption. But I don't think to start with he should have been made captain."