Erik ten Hag will have been using this pre-season tour and training behind the scenes to work out what his strongest XI is going into the Premier League season.
With a number of ins and outs so far this summer for Manchester United, the squad will look slightly different for Erik ten Hag’s opening fixture compared to the one he witnessed lose to Crystal Palace back in May.
First team regulars Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic have left the club, and the additions of Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia, combined with the imminent signing of Lisandro Martinez certainly gives Ten Hag something to think about with regards to his strongest XI.
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With reports suggesting that Erik ten Hag will field his strongest XI against Atletico Madrid in a pre-season friendly in Oslo on Saturday, here is a shot at predicting the side Erik ten Hag might line-up with on the day assuming full fitness throughout the squad:
Goalkeeper
David de Gea
David de Gea, despite being one of controversy among Manchester United fans, will no doubt be starting in goal. He has played every pre-season fixture so far and despite a mistake against Aston Villa, there is no way Ten Hag will drop the Spaniard.
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Defence
Diogo Dalot
Dalot has had a brilliant pre-season.
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Starting in every fixture, the right-back has firmly gripped the starting spot over Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and with reports suggesting that the club will only look to sign a new right-back should the Englishman leave, it is expected that Dalot will continue in his new inverted full-back role.
Harry Maguire
As club captain, it is hard to say that Maguire will not start. Despite the player having a torrid last 12 months, Erik ten Hag has given Maguire his “support” and the Englishman will remain captain.
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Interestingly, Maguire has been playing on the right side of the back two in recent games, with Ten Hag possibly making this move in anticipation of Martinez joining the squad as soon as Tuesday.
Raphael Varane
Signing from Real Madrid last summer, Varane’s spot in this team causes debate. There is not much debate over his ability, but more his availability, with the defender almost never nailing down the spot due to injury.
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Assuming full fitness, Varane is a monster of a centre-back, and his ability to use both feet well allows him to play on the left of defence with ease; although it should be noted that both Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez will not be far behind in vying for either of these positions.
Luke Shaw
Although new signing Tyrell Malacia has performed well in pre-season, Shaw will most likely still be Erik ten Hag’s No.1 choice at left-back for now.
The Englishman showed during 2020/21 just how good he is at full potential, and his assist to Jadon Sancho against Aston Villa hinted that the full-back may be soon getting back to his very best.
Midfield
Fred
The Brazilian midfielder has been nothing but superb on tour. From scoring a wonderful goal against Liverpool to making countless well placed passes and interceptions throughout the tour, Fred has shone so far under Erik ten Hag.
He looks set to be one of the biggest winners under the Dutchman this season, should he continue his top form.
Scott McTominay
With the club still searching for a midfielder, McTominay is in the side to fill the hole for now.
He formed a partnership alongside Fred well over the last two seasons, however the famous “McFred” duo looks set to come to an end this season with Ten Hag signing Martinez and gunning for Frenkie de Jong too.
Bruno Fernandes
The Portuguese Magnifico, despite a poor season last time out, looks set to be a mainstay in the side once again.
Although the signature of Christian Eriksen will no doubt apply extra pressure on Fernandes to keep up his good form, the player has played well during pre-season.
Forwards
Jadon Sancho
Sancho has been a man on fire during these first four pre-season games.
Scoring on three occasions against Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, the Englishman has conquered all three Premier League opposition, including scoring the opening goal of the game on two occasions.
After a slow and rather disappointing 2021/22 season, Sancho looks set to light the Premier League on fire under Erik ten Hag, with the manager incredibly impressed with his form and talent.
Anthony Martial
With Cristiano Ronaldo’s future incredibly uncertain, Anthony Martial has stepped up to retake his reins as the club’s No.9.
The last two seasons have been a huge disappointment for the man who scored 23 goals during 2019/20, scoring just nine goals over the last two campaigns, however after scoring three during pre-season so far, the Frenchman looks close to his dazzling best once again.
Marcus Rashford
Just like the aforementioned two above, Rashford had a disappointing season last season.
He looked burnt out, injured and tired, and had not had a proper break and pre-season for a number of years.
After being left out of the England squad for the most recent internationals, the player was able to take some much needed time off and the result of this is Rashford looking sharper, better and much more involved.
You would expect this XI to change throughout the season though, as players such as Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Donny van de Beek, among others and any potential future signings to come into the fold and fight for their spots in the squad’s strongest starting line-up.
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, David De Gea, Football
Dylan Penketh