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Previous reports had David de Gea a doubt for Sunday’s match against Liverpool and Paul Pogba a possibility as Manchester United’s two biggest stars faced a fitness battle ahead of a game that could decide United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s future.
Now, though, both have been ruled out. That’s the news according to Sky today, who say that it has been determined that neither de Gea nor Pogba are expected to play and as such United are preparing for the match without their top goalkeeper and midfielder.
The biggest blow for United, perhaps, is the loss of de Gea, who has historically been outstanding against the Reds. Pogba, on the other hand and for all his talents, has yet to make a real impact in one of England’s historic rivalry matches.
On paper at least, though, this seems quite a blow to United and Solskjær’s chances, with the perfect Reds already heavily favoured heading to Old Trafford to face a struggling Red Devils side that already appear well adrift of the top four race this season.
United sit 12th in the table after the first eight games, having scored just nine goals and conceded eight. While they got a boost early with an opening victory over Chelsea, since then it’s been a slog with losses to Crystal Palace, West Ham, and Newcastle.
Rumours have been widespread during the break that a heavy defeat at the hands of Liverpool could see Solskjær sacked despite only just being given the job on a permanent basis. Massimiliano Allegri has been tipped as a potential replacement.