Manchester United’s season will begin against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim has overseen a positive pre-season and has been backed with the signings of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Diego Leon for the new campaign.
Sesko was unveiled before the final pre-season friendly against Fiorentina last weekend. The young striker has trained at Carrington throughout the week and is expected to make his debut against Arsenal.
Arsenal have also strengthened in the summer transfer window as they prepare to mount another Premier League title challenge.
Regarding the team news, United will be without Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui, but Andre Onana and Joshua Zirkzee will be available for selection again this weekend.
United could be one player away from their strongest XI. Sesko has to go straight in. He’s had plenty of training time and there is no point beating about the bush with a new No.9. There is not a realistic alternative, either, given Rasmus Hojlund could struggle to even make the bench today.
Manuel Ugarte has to get up to speed. Casemiro could be redundant this season and pitting him against Arsenal is asking for trouble. So is Ugarte, possibly, but he was signed last year to offer longevity in midfield and United have to try and make it work.
Luke Shaw seems likeliest to come in on the left of the back three but having him start for United at the start of his 12th season should not be entertained as a point of principle. So Ayden Heaven it is.
The ‘keeper is straightforward: Andre Onana is first choice and better than Altay Bayindir.
Onana needs to be replaced, but he’s the best option to start in between the sticks after recovering from a hamstring injury. Yoro, Maguire and De Ligt are the strongest back three at Amorim’s disposal.
There are concerns about the midfield for the season. Fernandes and Ugarte feels like the best partnership to start the campaign with, but a fresh face needs to be secured before the end of the transfer window.
Amad has started every game in pre-season and should start at right wing-back, while it’s a no-brainer to start the new signings, Mbeumo, Sesko and Cunha, across the attacking line.
Onana needs to start between the posts and make his first appearance since the Europa League final. Yoro is a shoo-in as the right-sided centre-back after starting four of United’s five friendlies, but there is less of a guarantee about who will start next to him.
As difficult a call as it is, I would choose De Ligt in the middle and Heaven on the left. The latter has not put a foot wrong since joining the club and will be keen to make his mark against his old club.
Amad and Dorgu should occupy the wing-back positions, and Ugarte should partner Fernandes in the middle. United need a new midfielder before the deadline, but Ugarte currently offers the best level of protection for Fernandes in midfield.
Amorim should unleash his new-look forward line from the off, meaning Mbeumo and Cunha should support Sesko.
