Rio Ferdinand names five Man Utd players in combined XI with Liverpool ahead of FA Cup clash

Rio Ferdinand has named FIVE Manchester United players in his combined XI with Liverpool ahead of their big FA Cup clash.

Man United host Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

It's the only piece of silverware Erik ten Hag can get his hands on this season while Jurgen Klopp's team fight on three fronts, having already bagged the Carabao Cup.

Ahead of the Old Trafford showdown, Ferdinand has picked his Man United and Liverpool combined XI.

And he's selected five players from his old side including Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.

Mainoo, Garnacho and Hojlund have starred for the Red Devils this season, with the former Man United defender acknowledging their performances ahead of their tie against Liverpool.

He also opted for Andre Onana and Diogo Dalot, revealing a conversation he had with Cristiano Ronaldo about the Portuguese right-back.

Ferdinand chose Liverpool stars Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah in his combined XI.

"I’m going Onana. Dalot has to play. [Connor Bradley] is doing well as well," he said on FIVE.

"I said about Dalot before, I don’t know what he is, you know? I remember Cristiano said to me; 'This boy will be a good player, trust me. He works hard, has good attributes'... and he was right. He’s been really good.

"[Ibrahima] Konate and Virgil [van Dijk], straight in. Lindelof’s done alright [at left-back], but Andy Robertson goes in."

Virgil van DIjk and Ibrahima Konate celebrate a Liverpool victory. Image: Getty

Ferdinand continued to build his team as he praised Mainoo and Endo.

"(Wataru) Endo has been your guy. I think Endo, with the importance to the team, he just sits there and stops counterattacks. I’m going Kobbie Mainoo [as well]," he added.

"For a young kid to come in and have the impact he’s had so far, the calmness he plays with... He has to get a mention."

The 45-year-old then confessed his love for Garnacho as he explained his reasoning behind Hojlund over Darwin Nunez.

He concluded: "I’ll give you (Salah). Garnacho has been brilliant, I love him. I’m going to put Garnacho on the left.

"Darwin has had a couple of good games! Before this month you wouldn’t be sitting there with your chest out saying Darwin.

"I can’t give you Darwin over Hojlund with as much conviction as you’re saying."

Topics: Manchester United, Liverpool, Rio Ferdinand, Football

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

@NasJabbar