Mourinho facing selection dilemma ahead of Manchester United's trip to Anfield

Jose Mourinho is facing a selection dilemma ahead of Manchester United's visit to Anfield on Monday (17 October) in terms of his perfect combination in midfield to tackle Liverpool. The Reds have been in fine form this season and are seeking their sixth consecutive win in all competitions with all their attacking players contributing in terms of goals and assists thus far.

Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana have all scored goals thus far this campaign, and are likely to pose a threat to the Red Devils yet again on Monday. The latter is a doubt for the game owing to injury, with Daniel Sturridge likely to take his place in the team.

Mourinho on the other hand is yet to fix on his best XI after a mixed start to the season, which has seen them win just one of their last four games in the Premier League, with two losses preceding a win and a draw. Wayne Rooney has been dropped from the starting lineup for the last two games and it is likely to continue for the game against the Reds.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is likely to be joined by Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard upfront with Paul Pogba and Juan Mata taking up the two out of three midfield positions. The back four is likely to be the same that started the last two games, which will see Daley Blind continue in his left-back role, with Chris Smalling partnering Eric Bailly at centre-back and Antonio Valencia playing in the right full back role.

According to the Manchester Evening News, questions remain over the defensive midfield, which was occupied by Ander Herrera in the last two games, but Marouane Fellaini had started the season as first choice. The Portuguese manager will have to decide if he wants the physicality the Belgian brings or the ball playing ability of the Spaniard.

The former Everton midfielder could be handy also when it comes to set-pieces, which Liverpool have shown that they are vulnerable from this season, but he could be overrun in a midfield. Mourinho started Fellaini during their 2-1 loss against Manchester City to add physicality to the team, but he could not keep up with the pace and movement of David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne, he was left isolated for large parts due to Pogba's preference to help in attack, which could prove costly against Liverpool, who also possess pace and prefer to move the ball quickly in midfield.

Herrera has proven to be more effective in recent games and could get the nod for the clash against Jurgen Klopp's team, with Fellaini starting from the bench. The Spaniard has formed a strong understanding with the world-record signing and a strong midfield performance will be key if they are to pick up all three points against an in-form Liverpool side, who are looking to level on points with table toppers City and Arsenal.