A Liverpool side that Klopp has had 1 year to work with. Last year Liverpool finished 8th yet I don't think many Liverpool fans paid attention to the statistics then, it was all about progression. Utd are in a similar situation where the play is improving but the table only reflects the whole season, not just the recent improved United.
I really wouldn't take more than Coutinho, and really pushing it Matip from Liverpool for my strongest Utd XI.
- De Gea > all your keepers,
- I'm happy with Bailly, Smalling as my CB pairing. Matip is good, so maybe he has a case to partner Bailly. Valencia is better than Clyne, and Milner vs Shaw isn't even close.
- In midfield, Carrick is a better passer than Henderson, Pogba is better than any Liverpool midfielder and Herrera and Lallana is where it becomes debatable and down to personal preference.
- Up front like I said I'd take Coutinho on my left, Zlatan centrally is a no brainer and on the right Mkhitaryan is a superior player to Mane. But although Mkhi has not played much, I already know his level is above Mane's.
This isn't a combined XI btw, it's a squad comparison.
The reason why this "Superiority" isn't reflected in the table is because the team hasn't the same time to gel that Liverpool has. I don't think there's been even 3 games yet where Bailly, Pogba, Zlatan and Mkhi have all played atleast 70-80 minutes together. However with time it will improve and I can see that already. In my opinion, Utd's team has a higher ceiling than Liverpool's. If the team doesn't achieve that, then questions are to be asked of Jose, but as of now the progression is pretty good. Your last point kind of supports what I'm saying... Imagine how offensively potent we'll be when we get Martial and Mkhi firing to add to Zlatan. Mkhi has been good when he has played, but Martial has looked off the pace this season which is why I'd take Coutinho over him.