The stage is set, the air is thick with the scent of Scouse supremacy, and the ghosts of Old Trafford's recent past are howling. This Sunday, we march into the lion's den, the fortress of Anfield, not as lambs to the slaughter, but as a pack of wolves ready to tear up the script. The table screams disparity—them soaring at the summit, us languishing in the lower half. The history books groan with our Anfield misery; our last competitive victory feels like a relic from a bygone era, a distant memory buried under a decade of disappointment. But I, Ruben Amorim, feel a tremor of defiance. This isn't just another match; it's a declaration. A chance to plant my flag, my system, and my belief into the hallowed, hostile turf. After the bitter pill of Newcastle, my Red Devils are wounded, but a wounded animal is often the most dangerous. To pull off the unthinkable, to stun the footballing world, we need a tactical masterstroke, a lineup forged in courage and cunning. Here is my audacious, unapologetic blueprint for conquest.

The Last Line of Defence: The Keeper's Crucible

Without a shadow of a doubt, the man between the sticks must be Andre Onana. His Manchester United journey has been a rollercoaster of breathtaking saves and heart-stopping errors, a true encapsulation of our turbulent times. However, the alternative offers no solace. Altay Bayindir's recent calamitous display has, for now, shut the door on a genuine challenge. This Sunday, Onana doesn't just need to be good; he needs to be transcendent, a colossus. Facing the relentless Reds, his distribution and command of his area will be under a microscope. He must be our first line of attack and our final, immovable barrier.

The spotlight doesn't get brighter. Onana's moment of truth awaits at Anfield.

The Three-Headed Wall: Rebuilding the Fortress

My famed three-man defence is non-negotiable. It's the bedrock of my philosophy, and at its heart, I need a general. Harry Maguire will lead this back line. He's been an absolute warrior, an 'exemplary' figure whose resurgence has been one of the few bright sparks. His aerial dominance and organisational skills are paramount. Alongside him, the returning Matthijs de Ligt brings a serenity and control we've sorely missed. He's not a speed merchant, but his intelligence, positioning, and sheer defensive prowess are vital for bringing order to the chaos.

The final piece of the puzzle is raw, electrifying talent. To handle the predatory instincts and clever movement of Mohamed Salah, we need pace and fearlessness. Enter Leny Yoro. At just 18, this young French phenom possesses a turn of speed that can match the Egyptian king. Thrusting him into the cauldron of Anfield is a gamble, but his youthful exuberance and recovery pace are our best antidote to Liverpool's blistering attacks. This trio—Maguire's leadership, De Ligt's composure, Yoro's dynamism—must become an impenetrable unit.

The Engine Room: A Midfield Revolution

Our display against Newcastle in the center of the park was nothing short of a disaster. It was porous, passive, and overrun. For Anfield, that simply cannot stand. We need energy, tenacity, and technical security. The first name on the team sheet in midfield is Kobbie Mainoo. When he entered the fray last Monday, the entire tempo and solidity of our team shifted. He's a generational talent, a Stockport-born maestro who plays with a wisdom beyond his years. He is the heartbeat, and we will build around him.

His partner must be the ultimate destroyer, the man who does the dirty work so others can shine. That man is Manuel Ugarte. It took him a moment to adapt to the ferocity of English football, but he is now the undisputed enforcer in my team. He will snap into tackles, break up play, and recycle possession with ruthless efficiency. He is the non-negotiable shield for our defense. The experienced duo of Casemiro and Eriksen, sadly, look past their peak for a battle of this ferocity and cannot be risked from the start.

The Wing-Back Conundrum: Width and Work Ethic

In my 3-4-2-1 system, the wing-backs are the lungs of the team. On the right, Noussair Mazraoui has been a revelation, a quiet but immensely effective signing. His versatility is a weapon, but against Liverpool's flying forwards, I need his defensive discipline and intelligent positioning. He will be our right-wing back, tasked with providing an outlet while being acutely aware of his defensive duties.

On the opposite flank, the absence of Luke Shaw is a monumental blow. This leaves us with a critical decision. Do we shift Mazraoui or use a more natural fit? Given the stability needed on the right to handle Salah, we may need to improvise, perhaps with Diogo Dalot offering his experience, but the left side remains our most vulnerable point and a key area Liverpool will target.

The Attacking Trident: Pace, Precision, and Panache

This is where the magic happens. This is where we hurt them. Leading the line must be Rasmus Hojlund. Yes, Joshua Zirkzee was withdrawn early last game, and starting him in an arena of this pressure might be a step too far. Hojlund, for all his struggles in front of goal, offers a relentless, physical presence. His movement off the ball is superior, and he has the strength to occupy Liverpool's center-backs, creating space for others. He is our spearhead.

Flanking him, on the right, is non-negotiable: Amad Diallo. Since my arrival, he has been nothing short of spectacular. His commitment is total, his dribbling is mesmerizing, and he has a habit of delivering on the big stage—remember his FA Cup heroics against this very opponent? He is a game-changer, a player who can conjure something from nothing with a drop of the shoulder. He starts.

And now, the maestro, the conductor: Bruno Fernandes. Returning from suspension, the temptation might be to deploy him deeper to bolster the midfield. But that is a crime against his genius! We must unleash Bruno in his natural habitat, as the advanced creator floating behind Hojlund. Picking up pockets of space between Liverpool's lines, his visionary passing can be the laser-guided missile that finds the runs of Hojlund and Amad. His ability to thread a pass through the eye of a needle is our cheat code, our secret weapon to unlock the league leaders' defense on the counter-attack.

My Anfield XI (3-4-2-1):

Substitutes to Make an Impact: Alejandro Garnacho (explosive pace in the latter stages), Joshua Zirkzee (a different tactical profile), Mason Mount (energy and pressing).

This is my battle plan. It's bold, it's brave, and it banks on the explosive potential of youth combined with the steely resolve of our leaders. We will not sit back. We will look to control, to disrupt, and to strike with lethal precision on the break. Anfield awaits, but so does a new Manchester United—my Manchester United. The mission is clear: Stun the world. 🔴👹 #MUFC