Manchester United will look different when they begin their pre-season preparations against Leeds later today. Erik ten Hag’s side are in Oslo for the opening game of their summer programme, with forgotten faces, promising youngsters and a new signing ready to get their chance.
With the focus on building fitness ahead of the new season, most players will be on the field at some point, making it difficult to predict who will be in the starting line-up.
United will be without 15 senior stars who were involved in the last international break for the game and several who have not traveled through injury, meaning there will be plenty of changes in the side.
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This is how MEN writers think United should line up.
Samuel Luckhurst
It is typical of Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial that they are unavailable when there is no competition. Van de Beek has a habit of disappearing when the opportunity presents itself, and Martial’s recovery could be so excessive that the clocks could go back and he could still be “rehabilitating”.
United will have a handful of first-team players to start and Mason Mount’s role should be higher up the pitch on his maiden appearance in red. Kobbie Mainoo could be the fifth midfielder this coming season and he is fit again.
Alvaro Fernandez is worth a look over Brandon Williams, while Amad may have to fill a role that isn’t conducive to his strengths.
Tyrone Marshall
Selection for this game will depend on factors we cannot see, with players at different levels of fitness as they return to pre-season training, while there are also some injury questions to be answered, including in goal where Heaton should start ahead of Henderson, who is still recovering from a thigh injury. United cannot risk a repeat as they prepare for his departure.
In defence, Wan-Bissaka and Varane are two likely starters. With Shaw still not back, it’s an early chance for Fernandez to press his case for first-team involvement this summer. The role of the other centre-back is open and perhaps Fish can get the chance to put his pre-season nightmare in Australia a year ago behind him.
All eyes in Oslo will be on Mount, who will make his first appearance for the club. Fred will also be part of that midfield and highly-rated teenager Kobbie Mainoo could complete the trio. Nobody wants to play more than 45 minutes anyway.
Sancho and Amad are likely to be starters in attack, while the rest of the front line consists of youngsters. Amad could always play through the middle, but I will follow Hugill from the start.
Rich Fay
You can make a reasonable argument that anyone should start this game, but I think United would be better off starting relatively strong without rushing players back from injury.
Varane and Wan-Bissaka form part of an experienced back-four, with academy defender Bennett a more sensible choice than risking Martinez.
Mount looks certain to make his debut and it makes sense to play Fred in the deeper midfield role. Hannibal is a more compelling choice to complete the trio than Van de Beek.
Amad should be given a proper chance this pre-season, and with so many exciting young strikers in the squad and Martial out, it makes sense to start Joe Hugill with Sancho up front.
Steven Railston
The worst part of summer is behind us and football is returning, at least in some capacity. United have a huge support in Oslo and those fans should get the chance to see first team players like Varane, Fred and new Mount.
The setting will also be used to give youngsters an opportunity to impress, meaning Fernandez and Bennett should start at the back. Both still have a realistic chance of progressing at the club, unlike someone like Williams.
Mainoo is considered the shining light of his age group and should play in midfield at No.8. The 18-year-old could be kept around the first team next season and has the potential to follow the ‘Garnacho route’.
Amad will start on the right and he can feature in a youthful attack with Hugill and Sancho.
George Smith
Predicting how United could possibly line up against Leeds, despite having a reduced number of players at their disposal, is guesswork indeed. Ten Hag will almost certainly make several changes during the match, giving everyone a much needed run-out.
The back four will likely see senior figures Wan-Bissaka and Varane start. Martinez, depending on his fitness levels, could feature at some point.
Mount, who will be the center of attention in Oslo, deserves to start in midfield and get his first run-out in United colours. It would also be nice to see the Mainoo feature from off.
United lack sufficient depth in attack, certainly centrally, meaning Hugill could be tasked with leading the line, supported by Amad and Sancho either side of him. Amad will be looking to make the most of pre-season after a brilliant loan spell at Sunderland last term.
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