Manchester United play their final warm-up game of the summer tomorrow against Fiorentina at Old Trafford.
United welcome back Andre Onana and Josh Zirkzee from injury, although it has been reported that the goalkeeper is not quite ready for action.
We do not know whether the Dutchman will play any part in the game, but having missed the whole of pre-season, he is unlikely to start.
The Red Devils are expected to announce Benjamin Sesko as their latest signing on the pitch before kick-off, but we do not expect him to take any part in the game.
It seems likely that the starting XI tomorrow will be very close to the one head coach Ruben Amorim plans to field against Arsenal in their Premier League opener a week on Sunday.
Defence
Given Onana’s reported omission, Altay Bayindir is almost certain to start in goal tomorrow. Tom Heaton will be the backup.
Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt are nailed-on starters for the Arsenal game, so they should start tomorrow. The question is who will be the third centre back.
Luke Shaw looks to be the preferred option based on Amorim’s US tour selections, but he has not been too impressive and sometimes lacks the physicality Amorim likes in his defenders. Ayden Heaven has that physicality, but he made some naïve mistakes on the tour and his inexperience means he would be a gamble for the 17th. The other option is Harry Maguire, which would mean De Ligt switching to RCB and Yoro to LCB.
It’s a toss up; we’ve predicted Heaven will get the nod so Amorim can have one last look at him before making a decision.
Lisandro Martinez is definitely out, but is advancing well and is training on the grass. Nous Mazraoui’s injury status is unclear. He started pre-season, then was ruled out with a slight knock, but has not returned since. Amorim has not explained the situation as yet.
Midfield and Wing Backs
Another big issue for the start of the season is who will partner Bruno Fernandes in midfield. As he is by nature an eight, it should be a six playing with him, but both Manu Ugarte and Casemiro have been poor during pre-season so far. Amorim could try Kobbie Mainoo in the six tomorrow, or even Mason Mount or Toby Collyer. Logic says it will be Casemiro but we’ve gone for Mainoo, more in hope than anything else.
Patrick Dorgu was rested last time out against Everton so we expect him to return at left wing back, with Amad at right wing back. Diogo Dalot is another option but Dorgu and Amad are the expected first choice pairing for the Arsenal game so it’s important they build an understanding with the new signings.
Forwards
Bryan Mbeumo needs minutes so it seems a certainty he will play in the right 10, with Matheus Cunha again in the left 10.
Sesko’s arrival means that United are willing to let Rasmus Hojlund leave the club. They have reportedly agreed to sending him out on loan with an option to buy. However, it’s said that the Dane does not want to go.
Where this leaves us in terms of whether he plays tomorrow is unclear. Amorim cannot know for sure whether he will still be here a week on Sunday, so in that sense, it might be better to play someone he knows will be available. Not picking him might also be a way for Amorim to drop a hint that he would like him to leave, if that is the case.
On the other hand, he is the most like-for-like alternative to Sesko, so playing him would allow the rest of the team to bed into the right shape. He may also be the best option to start against the Gunners if still around, given that Zirkzee and Sesko will probably not be match fit.
On balance, we’ve predicted him to start but it could be Chido Obi, at a pinch, Zirkzee, or it could be Mbeumo or Cunha up top with Mason Mount filling in as a 10.
With all that in mind, here is our predicted starting XI for tomorrow’s 12.45pm kick-off:
Featured image A J Reynolds 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.
