Another season, same old injury problems. The news that Luke Shaw will be sidelined for several weeks without even having kicked a ball in pre-season comes as a bitter blow for Manchester United.
Manager Erik ten Hag has already lost striker Rasmus Hojlund for a similar period due to a hamstring injury and new signing Leny Yoro until November with a broken metatarsal.
Meanwhile there are doubts over the fitness of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, while Shaw’s backup, Tyrell Malacia, is still several weeks away from match fitness.
New signings Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Josh Zirkzee are all short of match fitness.
One thing that does seem certain is that Andre Onana will be in goal. Altay Bayindir will be his backup.
Mazraoui did get a little bit of a pre-season, playing a total of 50 minutes in two friendlies for Bayern Munich, so given the lack of other options we think Erik ten Hag will risk him at right back, with Diogo Dalot switching to left back. Young Harry Amass, who impressed on the tour, is another option at left back.
We’re guessing that Maguire will be fit enough to partner Lisandro Martinez at centre back. If not, Jonny Evans could be called in, because even if Lindelof is fit, he himself has only played 45 minutes in pre-season.
In midfield, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo will be the double pivot. Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen and young Toby Collyer are likely to be bench options.
Zirkzee was not even given minutes off the bench against Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday so he seems unlikely to start up front. This means Ten Hag will probably persist with playing Bruno Fernandes as a false nine, with Mason Mount tucked in behind.
The wing positions make for an interesting selection dilemma. The standout star in pre-season was undoubtedly Amad Diallo. Marcus Rashford has shown flashes of his best but again squandered numerous chances against City as the confidence seemed to visibly drain from him.
Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench in that match and was on fire, but Ten Hag may not feel he’s quite fit enough yet to start.
We therefore think he’ll stick with Amad and Rashford, although he may be tempted to drop the England man to the bench.
Jadon Sancho, Antony and Facu Pellistri are also options. Youngster Ethan Wheatley could also make the bench as the only other natural striker in the squad besides Zirkzee.
Erik ten Hag should have some fitness and injury updates in his presser today but in the meantime, here is our predicted starting XI for tomorrow’s 8pm kick-off:
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