Former Liverpool defender-turned-pundit Phil Babb has named his combined Manchester United & Liverpool XI ahead of the heavyweight clash on Saturday – and it includes a notable absentee.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, per the Daily Express, Babb has left out Paul Pogba, whilst also adding Andy Robertson to the starting line-up…
Phil Babb’s starting XI in full:
De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Robertson; Matic, Salah, Mane, Coutinho; Rashford, Lukaku.
Whilst the team does look strong, it baffles me as to how you can include Roberton. The young Scot has barely played, and when he has started he’s looked average at best. Personally, I would have stuck Ashley Young in my side, but this is probably Babb’s Liverpool bias showing…
I’m also left questioning his decision to start Chris Smalling. Has Babb not watched Eric Bailly play football over the last twelve months? The Ivory Coast international has been sensational, and I’d put him in a Premier League XI, nevermind a Manchester United & Liverpool team.
The rest of the team I understand, although I’d love to make a case for Anthony Martial to get the nod, perhaps Henrikh Mkhitaryan, too.
Let’s focus on the game itself. It’s so vital that United go to Anfield and attack. Their defence is nothing short of awful, and we should be looking for Romelu Lukaku to go out there and exploit their biggest weakness.
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