Man Utd start their Premier League campaign vs Fulham. (Image: Getty)
Manchester United embark on the start of Erik ten Hag’s third season – and the first of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new-look regime – on Friday night by welcoming Fulham to Old Trafford. The Red Devils are eyeing a considerable improvement on their worst-ever Premier League campaign in 2023/24.
Ten Hag has admitted that his side won’t be at 100 per cent for the visit of the Cottagers because of the staggered nature of pre-season due to Euro 2024 and the Copa America.
Express Sport runs through how United are expected to line up after multiple major decisions, with at least one player set to make his debut.
Goalkeeper: Onana
Andre Onana faced more shots on target in the Premier League than any goalkeeper from a non-relegated team last season (203).
He had to deal with just one in last Saturday’s Community Shield clash against Manchester City. United need that to become more of a regularity.
Defence: Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot
Noussair Mazraoui only arrived at United on Tuesday, but duty may call at the earliest opportunity after his £17million switch from Bayern Munich.
Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia’s injury woes leaking into this season mean 17-year-old Harry Amass is Ten Hag’s sole left-back option.
Mazraoui could debut at right-back, with Diogo Dalot continuing to fill in on the left side of the defence.
Matthijs de Ligt may need time to build up match fitness, having started pre-season late after his Euro 2024 involvement. Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez will likely partner up against Fulham.
Noussair Mazraoui could be thrown straight into the team. (Image: Getty)
Midfield: Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes
United’s midfield showed promising signs against City last time out, especially given the lack of pre-season minutes among them.
It won’t be a surprise if Ten Hag goes unchanged, with the trio of Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes representing his strongest midfield trio.
Casemiro endured a dismal 23/24 campaign but has looked in far better shape while starting every pre-season match after an expected move to Saudi Arabia didn’t materialise.
Mainoo and Fernandes are midfield shoo-ins for the entire season as two of the first names on Ten Hag’s team sheet.
Attack: Amad, Garnacho, Rashford
Amad was arguably United’s most eye-catching star during pre-season and impressed again at Wembley last weekend.
Ten Hag faces a gruelling dilemma after Alejandro Garnacho locked down the right-wing position last season and produced a stunning cameo against City.
The Dutchman could well opt for both on either flank, with Marcus Rashford temporarily moved centrally to accommodate the electric young duo.
Joshua Zirkzee is waiting to make his United debut after his £36.5m switch from Bologna, which started the club’s summer spending in July. He should feature from the bench.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1936706/Man-Utd-team-news-Predicted-XI-Fulham-Premier-League