Manchester United face Bournemouth in the early hours of tomorrow morning (BST) in their second of three US tour games this pre-season.
Last time out the Red Devils beat West Ham 2-1 in an impressive performance that warranted a bigger goal difference than just one.
Head coach Ruben Amorim will be wanting to build on that momentum today, although squad rotation and fitness will also play a part in his team selection.
There will be just two more friendlies after this – against Everton and Fiorentina – before United kick off their Premier League campaign against Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17th.
Amorim has a couple of big questions to answer before then, so we expect those areas to be addressed in tonight’s selection.
Who should play left centre back?
It seems that Amorim has identified Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro as two of his starting centre backs, but who will be the third? In Lisandro Martinez’ absence the options are Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven or Noussair Mazraoui.
The advantage of either Shaw or Heaven is that they are natural left centre backs, allowing De Ligt and Yoro to play in their stronger roles. So in pre-season we are seeing the two lefties being tried, especially since Mazraoui has picked up a knock and is ruled out.
Heaven started last time, and looked a little shaky, so we expect Shaw to get the nod today, although Maguire could be given a run-out.
Is Diego Leon ready to be Patrick Dorgu’s understudy?
The young Paraguayan was given a start against Leeds in the first pre-season match and acquitted himself well. Dorgu started against the Hammers. The Dane needs to be match fit but we think Amorim will want another look at Leon today and could start him.
The decision is still open as to whether Leon will be loaned or kept. In theory an understudy for Dorgu isn’t needed as Diogo Dalot, Mazraoui or Shaw could all fill in there, but if Leon proves himself worthy, he surely will be kept.
On the right, Amad is looking nailed on to be the starting RWB this season so he will probably start again, although Dalot may need minutes and could be preferred.
Who plays alongside Bruno in central midfield?
With Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo set to occupy the 10 roles this season, Bruno Fernandes is expected to play as an 8. However, who partners him is a question that Amorim could still be pondering. Casemiro finished last season strongly but the pair looked a slow and poor fit against Leeds.
Amorim tried Mainoo and Ugarte as a pair against West Ham and they both performed really well. With Mbeumo still not ready to take part according to Amorim, the duo could start again in the centre of the park with the skipper playing in the 10. The issue is clear: Ugarte is the better player defensively, but is his passing and ball progression good enough? Whereas Mainoo poses the opposite questions.
Toby Collyer looks to have lost ground in the midfield race amid reports he will be sent on loan this season.
Is Chido Obi a better option than Rasmus Hojlund?
If reports are to be believed, United are still looking to add a striker to their ranks this summer, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko the frontrunners. However, the question is, who will start the season for United if a signing hasn’t been made?
It could be Joshua Zirkzee but his niggling injury has ruled him out of pre-season so far. This leaves the struggling Hojlund and the young pretender, Obi.
As with Leon, Amorim started Obi against Leeds but then reverted to the more senior player against the Hammers. We think he will want to take another look at Obi tonight, with Fernandes and Cunha the two 10s. If the 17 year old can grab a couple of goals, he could well overtake his fellow Dane in the race to start against Arsenal.
With Altay Bayindir the goalkeeper again in Andre Onana’s absence, here then is our predicted XI for tonight’s game in Chicago, kick off 2:30am BST:
Featured image Richard Heathcote 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.
