Ruben Amorim has a few key decisions to make as he selects his starting XI for Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Arsenal tomorrow.
With all senior players except Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui available, for once the United head coach has the luxury of a selection headache.
The first of these is in goal.
Defence
Having missed the whole of pre-season, Andre Onana is now available for selection – but will Amorim risk picking him without that practice? Whilst the Cameroonian is United’s first choice keeper, Altay Bayindir has done little wrong on the tour and had his best match in a United jersey against the Gunners last season in the FA Cup.
On balance, we think Amorim will stick with Bayindir for this game.
The back three also poses a dilemma. Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt are almost certain to play, but who will play alongside them until Martinez is fit? Harry Maguire could get the nod, but this means switching Yoro to the left and De Ligt to the right.
In pre-season, both Luke Shaw and Ayden Heaven have taken turns playing at LCB. While our fan poll showed a preference for Heaven to start the game, we suspect Amorim will pick the more experienced Shaw.
Wing Backs and Central Midfield
Amad looks set to be the preferred right wing back this season, but it may be that Amorim goes for the more defensive option of Diogo Dalot against a big team like Arsenal. However, we expect him to keep on the front foot and start with the Ivorian, perhaps hoping to bring Dalot on later to protect a lead.
Patrick Dorgu will almost certainly start at left wing back. Dalot, Shaw and new recruit Diego Leon are the other options.
Bruno Fernandes will play in the eight and we expect Casemiro to play in the six position. As a pairing, they have been less than impressive in pre-season, but Manu Ugarte was also erratic, playing well in one match and poorly in others. Kobbie Mainoo could be deployed in the six, but Amorim doesn’t seem to trust him in a more defensive role.
The boss said at the pre-match presser that Mason Mount is also an option for central midfield. Toby Collyer is no longer an option as he has joined West Brom on loan.
It’s expected that a six to play alongside Bruno will be signed before the transfer window closes, as the options are clearly limited in that regard.
Attack
New signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha will surely play, but the big question is whether Amorim will risk the even newer signing, Benjamin Sesko, from the start. He indicated in the presser that it is a possibility even though the Slovenian has not even played in a friendly with his new teammates.
If he is not going to be risked, Josh Zirkzee is back available, but he is probably even further away from being ready, having been injured for several months.
Rasmus Hojlund probably won’t play as United seek to offload him before the window closes and Chido Obi is unlikely to start many at this stage in his career.
If Sesko is not risked, then, either Kobbie Mainoo or Mason Mount will likely come in to the side, with either Mbeumo or Cunha playing up top. But we think Amorim will gamble on the big man making his debut in front of the Stretford End.
Here then is our predicted XI for tomorrow’s 4.30pm kick-off:
Featured image Molly Darlington via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
