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Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid: Predicted XI - Anthony Martial or Cristiano Ronaldo?

Home> UtdDistrict

Updated 12:01 4 Jan 2023 GMTPublished 14:23 29 Jul 2022 GMT+1

Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid: Predicted XI - Anthony Martial or Cristiano Ronaldo?

Who is set to start against Diego Simeone's men?

Cain Smith

Cain Smith

Manchester United face Atletico Madrid in Oslo on Saturday, with Erik ten Hag set to prepare for the Premier League opener against Brighton the following weekend.

Following a successful pre-season so far, the Reds have two final games in two days as the new manager looks to give the majority of his squad significant minutes across the weekend.

It has been reported that United's trip to Norway will involve a stronger team, which is most likely going to start on the 7 August against Graham Potter's men.

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The first question would be whether Cristiano Ronaldo would be involved.

But that will not be the case. James Ducker of the Telegraph reported that the Portuguese striker is not expected to be in the squad which travels.

Alamy

He missed all of United’s pre-season tour, and is considered to be well behind the rest of the group in terms of fitness.

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It is instead expected for Anthony Martial to lead the line in the strongest team, with the Frenchman having a solid pre-season so far.

Whilst most of the team picks itself, there are some position battles which will occur, as they will all season long.

Harry Maguire will likely start ahead of Raphael Varane, since the Frenchman was involved in Wednesday's behind-closed-doors game to build fitness. He could be set to partner Lisandro Martinez, as the new defender gets used to playing with his teammates ahead of the new season.

Whether Christian Eriksen starts as the right sided central midfielder will be interesting. He could find himself battling with Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek for the spot going forward, but you'd assume he would be given time to gel with the team also.

Predicted XI

David de Gea

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Diogo Dalot

Harry Maguire

Lisandro Martinez

Luke Shaw

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Fred

Christian Eriksen

Bruno Fernandes

Jadon Sancho

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Marcus Rashford

Anthony Martial

With an important campaign coming up for United and Ten Hag, it will be interesting to see how the different opposition tests the Reds. It will be the best out of possession block that United have faced, even if this will only be their second pre-season game so far.

Being able to see the new signings in action will be a big attraction to the fanbase who has waited so long to see them in United colours and with their new numbers.

Martinez has been given the no.6 shirt, while Eriksen takes the no.14.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Martial, Erik Ten Hag, Football, Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone, Premier League

Cain Smith
Cain Smith

Website lead, Editor and Admin at UtdDistrict

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@cainsmithMU

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