Manchester United kick off their pre-season tour of the United States at the MetLife stadium in New Jersey at midnight tonight UK time with an all-Premier League clash against West Ham United.
The Red Devils will play three games across the pond in a so-called “Premier League Summer Series”. Matches against Bournemouth and Everton follow tonight’s clash against the Hammers.
All eyes tonight will be on new signing Bryan Mbeumo, who is expected to play some part in the game.
United will be desperate for goals having played out a dull 0-0 draw with Leeds in Stockholm a week ago.
As is usual at this stage of the season, we expect head coach Ruben Amorim to make 11 substitutions at half time as he rotates his 32-man travelling squad and assesses his options.
Defence
With Andre Onana still injured, Altay Bayindir is expected to start in goal, as he did against Leeds. Tom Heaton may take over in the second half, although Dermot Mee and Will Murdock have also travelled.
At centre back, Harry Maguire has joined the squad late after attending to a personal matter back home. But we expect Matthijs de Ligt to be the first half lynchpin, with Maguire replacing him at half time. Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw could also start, with Noussair Mazraoui and Ayden Heaven joining Maguire for the second 45.
Tyler Fredricson and Reece Munro are other options.
At wing back, Amorim started with new signing Diego Leon against Leeds and he impressed. Given that the boss clearly wants to evaluate whether the Paraguayan is ready to be Patrick Dorgu’s backup at LWB this season, he will probably start him again, with Amad on the right. As in Stockholm, they may be replaced by Diogo Dalot and Dorgu at half time.
Bendito Mantato is another option at wing back.
Midfield and attack
Amorim noted after the Leeds game that United lacked pace in midfield, which was glaringly obvious. The Casemiro – Bruno Fernandes partnership did not work, with the former not mobile enough to cover the space left by the skipper as he tried to push forward and join the attack.
With Fernandes always undroppable, the chances are Casemiro will give way this time, with either Kobbie Mainoo or Manu Ugarte taking his place alongside Bruno. The other will then partner the Brazilian for the last 45. There could also be an opportunity for one of the youngsters such as Jack Fletcher, who got minutes against Leeds, or Sekou Koné. Toby Collyer is another option.
Up front, it’s possible Mbeumo will be thrown straight into the right 10 role, with Matheus Cunha starting again in the left 10.
Up front, Josh Zirkzee looks to be back in training so could start, although Chido Obi might be given the nod again, as he was last week. He was feeding off scraps against Leeds so Amorim will still want to see whether he is looking strong and mature enough to be an integral part of the first team squad this season.
Rasmus Hojlund is the other option.
We have gone for Mbeumo – Obi – Cunha in the first half and Mason Mount, Hojlund and Zirkzee in the second. Ethan Williams (or Mantato) are also options in the 10’s.
Here then, are our predicted first and second half XI’s for tonight’s match:
Featured image David Rogers 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.
