Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford this weekend knowing a defeat in the latest instalment of the Northwest derby will see them fall behind their bitter rivals in the Premier League table, and lead to serious questions over whether it's them or the Anfield outfit who are most capable of competing with Manchester City next season.

So, which players are most important in ensuring United pick up a positive result against the Reds this weekend, and who could have the biggest impact for the home side? Football FanCast's writers have their say ahead of Saturday's 12.30pm kickoff...

Christy Malyan - Ashley Young

Regardless of the fact they're the home side, job one for Manchester United is keeping Mohamed Salah quiet. That will no doubt be a collective effort but with Jose Mourinho trusting Ashley Young over Luke Shaw for the important occasions this season, the veteran wide man will be United's ultimate line of defence against the Egyptian maestro.

Young has enjoyed something of a renaissance this season and it wouldn't be a huge shock if he managed to earn a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the World Cup in Russia. Defensively though, he's inevitably a little suspect and Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez's shared preference for attacking the inside left channel makes his job that little bit harder. If Young can minimise Salah's impact in spite of this, United will have a huge chance of claiming all three points.

Chris McMullan - Romelu Lukaku

It sounds like a statement of the obvious, but this isn’t an easy game for Manchester United. Resting players isn’t much of an option against such an old enemy, especially at home, but the Sevilla game in midweek is so much more important in relation to the season.

That means arguably the best thing that United can hope for on Saturday afternoon is a game without any injuries, and a continuation of the form of Romelu Lukaku. Since the turn of the year, the Belgian has netted in every game in which United have scored a goal, bar one - away to Burnley when he provided the assist for the only goal of the game, which was finished by Anthony Martial.

Sam Preston - Paul Pogba

There has been so much talk about him recent weeks but this is a huge game for Paul Pogba. His performances impact hugely on United's as a whole.

I expect him to again be fielded in his supposed best position, on the left of a midfield trio, with the security of Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay alongside. If we see the carefree, ill-disciplined Pogba we have seen so often in big games - and last season's corresponding fixture is one of them - then United will be overrun and struggle badly.

However, if we see more disciplined version of the Frenchman, like in February's 2-1 win over Chelsea, using his pace and power on the counter attack, then United will be favourites as Liverpool don't have anyone who can live with him on top form.

James Beavis - Alexis Sanchez

In big matches like this one, you want your big players to perform, and that is what Jose Mourinho will be expecting of Alexis Sanchez on Saturday.

The Chile international has flattered to deceive for United so far with one goal and two assists in eight appearances in all competitions, and it is about time he put in a display where he makes the difference like we saw on so many occasions with Arsenal - what better way to do that than against Liverpool at Old Trafford?

Which player do you think will have a decisive impact against Liverpool, Man United fans? Let us know by commenting below...