Back to the Manchester United Newsfeed

Rangnick explains tactics at Anfield

Phil Jones features in the three-man central defence, slotting in alongside Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire.

Jones returned from a series of long-term injuries earlier this season, making his first appearance in almost two years in January’s home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. After impressing in that outing, the Englishman also played in February’s FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough.

With injuries to two midfielders, Fred and Scott McTominay - who is included on the bench, and one centre-back, Raphael Varane, Rangnick explained his decision to bring Jones in for this Tuesday night fixture.

“As I said yesterday in the press conference, we need the best possible balance of being stable defensively, enough players behind the ball, always try to be proactive in winning balls but at the same time have some threats in the transitional moments, so this is why I decided for this line-up and this formation,” Rangnick told Sky pre-match.