Mauricio Pochettino is expected to take charge of a Manchester United squad that could see two senior names back from month-long absences in time for his debut at Anfield.
Michael Carrick was dismissed on 12 November after one win in ten Premier League matches, leaving United 18th in the table and ten points below the top four. Pochettino, currently coaching the United States, is set to arrive on a deal that would trigger a release clause worth around $10m in his US Soccer contract.
Luke Shaw is pushing for a return at Anfield after a month out with a muscle problem sustained in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on 10 October. The left-back has missed seven matches across all competitions since.
Shaw has not yet rejoined full first-team training. The international break is built around getting him on the pitch for 22 November, with Diogo Dalot, Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui having rotated at left-back in his absence.
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The more unusual recovery story is Marcus Rashford’s. The forward’s hip problem originated at the summer’s World Cup, and continuing to play eventually pushed the complaint into his groin.
Last week a member of United’s medical staff flew with the 29-year-old to Dublin to consult a specialist. Writing for The Telegraph, James Ducker reported that Rashford then began a new recovery plan on his return.
“Manchester United are hopeful Marcus Rashford will be fit for their trip to Liverpool a week on Sunday after the forward began a new treatment programme on a groin problem,” Goal reported.
Rashford has played six Premier League matches this season since his loan at Barcelona ended, without scoring. His record against Liverpool is stronger: seven goals in 20 appearances.
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One Premier League win since August, 30 goals conceded
United’s single win from ten league matches is their worst Premier League start since 1986/87, and the 30 goals they have conceded across all competitions are the worst record in Europe’s top five leagues.
Pochettino will coach the US for both legs of their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday before travelling to Manchester.
Four days on the training pitch
Neither return is guaranteed. Shaw’s target date is just that, a target; Rashford’s groin remains under daily assessment. Pochettino will have only a handful of days on the training pitch before his first fixture.
Kick-off at Anfield is at 4:30pm local time on Sunday 22 November.
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