Erik ten Hag explains why ‘brilliant’ Manchester United duo are benched against Liverpool

Erik ten Hag has made three changes to his team (Photo: Getty)

Erik ten Hag has explained why ‘brilliant’ Harry Maguire and Amad Diallo were dropped from Manchester United’s starting XI against Liverpool.

United made three changes from the defeat at Brighton for the huge clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Maguire, Diallo and the injured Mason Mount drop out with Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee coming in to make their full United debuts, with Alejandro Garnacho also in the team.

Explaining his team selection, Ten Hag said: ‘He [De Ligt] is fit, especially a fit guy, so he’s really excited, and he wants to play really ambitious, so yeah, we put him in.

‘Harry and Amad have done brilliant but also we have a squad and we approach the opponent and look for what fits better.

‘But for sure, we need Harry Maguire today and we will need Amad today.

‘Josh needed time to adapt fitness-wise but now he is there and is up to speed. We have some subs also to bring on but he is ready for it.’

Harry Maguire starts on the bench (Photo: Getty)

With Zirkzee up top, United finally start a game this season with a recognised centre-forward.

United legend Gary Neville rated the changes prior to kick-off, telling Sky Sports: ‘They were inevitable.

‘[Manuel] Ugarte and [Luke] Shaw are probably the two players that, if they can get ready in the next couple of weeks, will come into the starting XI and make a far more energetic Manchester United team.

‘Playing without a centre-forward in the last couple of weeks has been a real struggle. There’s been a lot of nice play in the middle but eventually you have to go into the final third and play off somebody.’

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