Ruben Amorim hints at Senne Lammens start as doubts remain over Noussair Mazraoui for Anfield showdown
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Manchester United will make the trip to Anfield this weekend for what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the Premier League calendar. Head coach Ruben Amorim has provided updates on his squad selection ahead of the clash, with goalkeeper Senne Lammens expected to retain his place after an eye-catching debut performance.
Lammens likely to start again after standout debut
The 22-year-old Belgian goalkeeper made his first appearance for United before the international break, following his £18.2 million move from Royal Antwerp on Deadline Day. Lammens marked the occasion with a commanding display, keeping a clean sheet in United’s 2–0 victory over Sunderland at Old Trafford.
His composure and authority between the posts caught the attention of the Old Trafford crowd, who serenaded him with chants of “Are you [Peter] Schmeichel in disguise?” — a playful but telling sign of how quickly he’s won over supporters. With such an assured debut, Amorim appears set to reward Lammens with another start ahead of Altay Bayindir when United take on Liverpool.
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When asked about the young keeper’s chances of keeping his spot, Amorim said at his pre-match press conference:
“Nothing is impossible — every player has to prove they can start every week. It’s possible he can play. He’s not Schmeichel yet, but he’s a talented young man and the fans appreciated what they saw.”
Injury concerns and player fitness updates
Manchester United’s injury list remains a key talking point heading into Sunday’s game. Defender Lisandro Martinez is still unavailable due to a long-term issue, though Amorim confirmed the Argentine is nearing a return to full training. His recovery progress offers optimism that he could be back in contention in the coming weeks.
There are further concerns over Noussair Mazraoui, who picked up a minor knock. The Moroccan’s involvement remains uncertain, with a late assessment likely determining whether he will feature at Anfield. Meanwhile, young defender Ayden Heaven faces a race against time to be fit after being forced off while playing for England’s Under-20s last week.
Elsewhere, Casemiro and Matheus Cunha will be evaluated following their midweek international commitments with Brazil against Japan. Their fatigue levels will be carefully managed, especially after long travel distances. On a more positive note, other returning internationals such as Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo were given additional recovery time on Thursday but are both expected to be ready for selection.
Amorim shed more light on his squad’s condition:
“Licha [Martinez] is very close — almost back in full team training. Mazraoui, I’m still unsure about. The rest of the national team players are fine, but some of them travelled far, so we have to manage their workload properly.”
He continued:
“Diogo [Dalot] didn’t play in Portugal’s final match, so he was able to train here yesterday. Bruno played 62 minutes, so we gave him an extra day to recover. We’re trying to keep everyone in top shape — it’s all about balance at this stage of the season.”
Tactical outlook and likely line-up
Amorim is expected to continue with his 3-4-2-1 formation, which has brought greater defensive stability since his arrival. The system allows United to transition quickly between defence and attack, with wing-backs playing a crucial role in providing width.
United’s predicted starting XI is expected to feature Lammens in goal, with Yoro, De Ligt, and Luke Shaw forming the back three. Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu are likely to operate as wing-backs, while Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes will anchor the midfield. Further forward, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo are expected to support striker Benjamin Sesko, who continues to grow into his role as United’s primary attacking outlet.
Predicted Manchester United XI (3-4-2-1):
Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Amad; Sesko
Injured: Martinez
Doubts: Mazraoui, Heaven
Match details
🕓 Kick-off: 4:30 PM BST, Sunday, 19 October 2025
📍 Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
📺 Live on: Sky Sports
Outlook
With both sides fighting near the top of the table, Sunday’s match could have significant implications for the title race. Liverpool’s home form has been strong, but United will take confidence from recent performances and the fresh energy Amorim has brought to the squad.
If Lammens can replicate his debut heroics and Fernandes can dictate play in midfield, the Red Devils will fancy their chances of taking something from Anfield — a ground that has often been a difficult venue in recent years.
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