Manchester United head into what could be a decisive showdown with Liverpool this weekend but Erik ten Hag has a number of problems to negotiate when it comes to his team

Manchester United could be without more than a dozen players for Sunday’s trip to arch rivals Liverpool, where they were humiliated 7-0 last season.

Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were added to the list of enforced absentees after both suffered injuries during the first-half of United’s 1-0 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday, which saw them exit Europe.

Erik ten Hag is facing a personnel crisis ahead of the trip to Anfield, with the United bench likely to again be made up of fringe and youth players, as well as two goalkeepers, as it was on Tuesday.

Those 13 players set to be absent this weekend include:

Victor Lindelof (knock)

The 29-year-old missed the Red Devils’ 3-0 humbling at the hands of Bournemouth, while he did not recover in time to face Bayern Munich. Lindelof had started 10 of of the Red Devils’ 16 Premier League games this season and could be restricted to the sidelines once again.

Harry Maguire (groin)

Having previously looked sure to leave Old Trafford, the England star has enjoyed something of a comeback over recent weeks. Maguire has played every minute of United’s last nine Premier League outings.

He lasted just 40 minutes of the midweek defeat to Bayern Munich and should he not recover in time, it could leave Ten Hag in a sticky situation when it comes to selecting his defence.

Harry Maguire receives treatment against Bayern Munich ( Image: Getty Images)

Luke Shaw (hamstring)

Sticking in the backline, the left-back has endured an injury-hit campaign. He was out for nearly three months with a hamstring injury earlier this season.

Shaw returned for four Premier League games but was forced to withdraw in the defeat to Bayern Munich and was set to undergo further tests.

Lisandro Martinez (Foot)

Following his impressive debut campaign for the Red Devils, Martinez has barely appeared this term. He has made just six appearances for the club having been suffering with a foot injury.

Martinez has returned to training but is some time away from making his return to competitive action.

Tyrell Malacia (Knee)

Another of the Red Devils’ long-term absentees, Malacia has not played a single minute for the Red Devils this term. A statement from United earlier this month revealed that the former Feyenoord star was hoping to return by the new year.

Casemiro (Thigh)

The Brazilian midfielder has spent just under two months on the sidelines after suffering a thigh injury during the 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle. It was the second injury that he had picked up this term following an ankle issue.

Like Martinez, he has stepped up his recovery after returning to training at Carrington. This weekend’s clash against Liverpool might however come too early for him.

Casemiro has been out for the last couple of months ( Image: Getty Images)

Christian Eriksen (Knee)

The Danish playmaker has missed the last four Premier League games for the Red Devils having missed each of their last two European outings. It was expected that his knee issue would keep him sidelined for around a month so Eriksen will hope to return by at least Christmas.

Mason Mount (Calf)

One of the Red Devils’ expensive summer signings, Mount has really struggled to forge a role for himself after a few issues. The midfielder has not appeared in the league since the slender victory over Luton last month.

In somewhat better news, he is among those to have returned to training so could potentially be in contention.

Amad (Knee)

Following his starring role for Sunderland last term, the Ivorian winger was expected to be given a chance by Ten Hag this term. It hasn’t quite panned out that way.

Amad has not played a single minute for the Red Devils this term due to his knee injury. He has been linked with making another temporary exit with Championship leaders Leicester among those linked.

Marcus Rashford (Illness)

The Red Devils’ top scorer last term, Rashford has been unable to get any momentum this term having found the net just twice. He was benched in the 3-0 loss to Bournemouth, while illness kept him out of the defeat to Bayern.

If Rashford is recovered, it remains to be seen whether he is recalled to the side.

Marcus Rashford missed the defeat to Bayern Munich ( Image: Getty Images)

Anthony Martial (Illness)

Like his attacking colleague Rashford, Martial was left out of the side by Ten Hag recently before returning to the side against Bournemouth. Like Rashford, he was ill for the game against Bayern.

Bruno Fernandes (Suspended)

While not injured, Portuguese midfielder Fernandes is not able to play against Liverpool. He picked up a booking in the defeat against Bournemouth.

That saw him hit the five yellow card threshold – enough to earn him a one-match suspension that he will serve this weekend.

Jadon Sancho (Discipline)

Neither injured nor suspended, Sancho remains sidelined by Ten Hag following the pair’s very public falling out earlier this season. The former Borussia Dortmund star has not played in the Premier League since August – something that looks very unlikely to change against Liverpool.