Manchester United's defensive rock returns against Liverpool! Amrabat aims to learn from the heavy defeat to Manchester City, a draw would be satisfactory

Manchester United's right-back Mazraoui is set to return in the Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield, having been out since September 20 with an undisclosed injury, reportedly involving his knee according to UK media.

During the international break, Mazraoui traveled to Salé to join Morocco's national team camp as they prepared for World Cup qualifying matches against Congo and Bahrain. The 27-year-old Moroccan international underwent medical assessments and rehabilitation but did not participate in any matches.

This week, Mazraoui returned to Manchester United's Carrington training ground for further medical evaluations. Once other internationals return, the team will resume regular training. The club has announced an open training session scheduled for Thursday.

After transferring from Bayern Munich last season, Mazraoui was nearly ever-present for Manchester United. Although he underwent a minor heart procedure, it took place during an international break, so he did not miss any matches. Alongside André Onana, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, and Garnacho, he is among the few players in the squad who have largely avoided injuries.

Statistics show that Mazraoui did not suffer any injuries throughout last season, only missing the Europa League match against Glasgow Rangers in January due to illness. However, since the preseason, he has struggled with fitness issues this season, missing 4 out of 5 of Manchester United's warm-up games.

After more than a month out, Mazraoui returned in the 3-2 victory over Burnley at the end of August. He then started consecutive matches against Manchester City and Chelsea but suffered another injury, causing him to miss Premier League games against Brentford and Sunderland.

Mazraoui is a key player valued by Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim, who has not only included him in the leadership group of six in the dressing room but also started him in 38 of the 42 matches managed last season.

This includes the January visit to Anfield where Manchester United drew 2-2 with Liverpool, with Mazraoui playing as right wing-back. That match was one of the best performances under Amorim’s management. This time, Amorim will choose his 3-4-3 formation wing-backs from Mazraoui, Dalot, Patrick Dogu, and Amad Diallo.

Before the international break, Manchester United eased pressure on Amorim by beating newly promoted Sunderland 2-0. Coupled with Sir Jim Ratcliffe publicly backing him for three years, there have been few rumors about a managerial change in the last two weeks. United currently sit 10th in the Premier League with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses, but a poor defeat to Liverpool could reignite speculation about Amorim’s future.

Amorim intends to learn from the lesson after the last international break, when the team won against newly promoted Burnley before the break but then suffered a heavy 0-3 defeat to Manchester City upon return.

At that time, Manchester City was also on a losing streak, and Manchester United were ranked higher, with high hopes from both team and fans. However, goals from Phil Foden and Erling Haaland quickly brought the Red Devils back down to earth.

Currently, Liverpool have suffered three consecutive losses against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, and Chelsea. Still, Amorim warns his players not to get ahead of themselves. Over the past eight months, Manchester United have only won six Premier League matches, mostly against newly promoted, relegated teams, or sides that played with fewer men against them.

Data shows Liverpool still maintain a 100% home winning record, while Manchester United have not won at Anfield since January 2016, conceding 10 goals in their last four matches against their archrivals. Additionally, with Egypt having secured World Cup qualification early, Liverpool's key player Salah will sit out Sunday’s game. Salah is a nemesis for Manchester United, having scored 16 times against them.

It is reported that Amorim will target at least a point, although publicly he will insist Manchester United aim to win every match. After beating Sunderland, even a draw or a narrow one-goal loss against Liverpool would satisfy Amorim.

Amorim also faces tough decisions. For example, in the heavy defeat to Manchester City, he substituted Casemiro, trying to strengthen defense with Ugarte, which backfired. This week, 33-year-old Casemiro played full 90 minutes in two friendlies for Brazil.