Manchester United’s first Premier League game of the season is just over one week away.
After a pre-season tour that yielded largely successful results, Erik ten Hag may well have a clear idea of who is in his first-choice side for the season ahead.
With two more friendlies still to be played, against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano this coming weekend, there is still a chance to impress Ten Hag ahead of Brighton’s trip to Old Trafford on 7 August.
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Here is a look at the potential line-up Ten Hag could select for United’s first league game of the season, along with some alternative players who could also start.
Goalkeeper – David de Gea
When Ten Hag was first appointed as United manager, there were doubts over whether David de Gea could adapt his game and improve his distribution and proactivity when sweeping. However, he has shown at times during pre-season improvement in these areas.
Coupled with the departure of Dean Henderson on loan to Nottingham Forest, De Gea is almost certainly going to start against Brighton at Old Trafford.
Right-Back – Diogo Dalot
Diogo Dalot had a very impressive pre-season tour. He started all four of United’s games in Thailand and Australia and formed an excellent partnership with Jadon Sancho down the right-hand side.
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Still only 23-years-old, Dalot could improve leaps and bounds this season under Ten Hag after a positive pre-season tour. If he gets an extended run in the side, United fans could see Dalot reach a whole new level this season.
Right Centre-Back – Harry Maguire
United’s club captain, Harry Maguire looked better with each game he played in pre-season. Against Aston Villa in the final game, he made some crucial blocks and was one of the best players on the day for United.
Maguire is an excellent progressive passer, something which will be ideal for the system Ten Hag is implementing at United.
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Whilst there are some people concerned about his lack of pace in a high line and his rather torrid form last season, he is a tough defender and is not afraid to put in a strong tackle. Maguire also adds a big aerial presence to United’s side. He will likely have a big role to play this season.
Left Centre-Back – Lisandro Martinez
United’s new signing, Lisandro Martinez, is an exciting addition to the squad. He adds some exciting new dynamics to United’s defence that have previously been missing.
Firstly, the fact that he is left-footed is a huge positive. United have not had a left-footed centre-back since Marcos Rojo, so that is one reason why the addition of Martinez is important.
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Aside from that, he is a fearless defender, who will never give anything less than one hundred per cent for his team. Like Maguire, he is also an excellent progressive passer and enjoys carrying the ball into the opposition half.
It is vital that he has already played under Ten Hag at Ajax and has had a lot of success. Martinez will be crucial for United this season.
Left-Back – Luke Shaw
Another player who had a good pre-season, Luke Shaw will be hoping to reach the heights he did in 2020/21. Shaw combined well with Marcus Rashford down the left-hand side in that season, and we saw similar things during the recent tour matches.
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Shaw grabbed a great assist for Jadon Sancho against Aston Villa in the final game, overlapping Rashford and finding Sancho at the back post with a good cross.
The England international both overlapped and underlapped well when each was necessary and seemed comfortable doing both.
He has a lot of competition now, with Tyrell Malacia, Alex Telles and Brandon Williams all vying for a starting spot at left-back. As we have seen in the past, competition brings out the best in Shaw. It will be exciting to see how he performs under Ten Hag.
Midfield – Fred
Fred was one of the more impressive players during the pre-season tour. His energy in midfield brought a unique dynamic to the game, and he contributed all over the pitch.
Fred was often the player responsible for picking the ball up in midfield and starting attacks. Against Aston Villa, he played an excellent ball over the top of the opposition defence for Jadon Sancho to run onto – this led to Matty Cash’s own goal.
He got around well in midfield, often putting in an important tackle or making a key interception. It seems like Ten Hag will select Fred to start in midfield against Brighton.
Midfield – Scott McTominay
Scott McTominay brings a big physical presence to the Manchester United midfield, something whic currently no other of the club’s midfielders can do. A tough midfielder, McTominay is not afraid of putting in a strong tackle or two.
The Scotland international can sometimes leave a little to be desired on the ball, with his passing sometimes letting him down. Regardless of this, he is certainly still a good midfielder and has played an important role for United in recent seasons.
McTominay seems like he could well be selected against Brighton for the first game of the season.
Midfield – Bruno Fernandes
One of United’s most important players, Bruno Fernandes enjoyed a good pre-season tour. Whilst he did not register a goal or an assist, Fernandes looked confident on the ball, and retained possession well, something which he has struggled with over the past few months.
If Fernandes can carry on his good form and add some goals and assists into his performances, he could be in for an exceptional season and become imperative to Ten Hag.
Right Wing – Jadon Sancho
Whilst last season was a struggle at times for Jadon Sancho, there is little doubt that he is one of the best young talents in the world. On the pre-season tour, Sancho showed just how good he can be.
The 22-year-old scored three goals and was United’s most creative influence. He constantly took on defenders one-on-one and showed off his full range of skills.
He excelled in his link-up play, often playing one-twos in acute areas with the likes of Fernandes. He also formed an excellent partnership with Diogo Dalot.
Overall, it was an exceptional tour for Sancho, and he will no doubt be one of the first names on the team sheet for the game against Brighton.
Striker – Anthony Martial
Arguably United’s best player during the pre-season tour, Anthony Martial is looking in exceptional form at the moment. He scored three goals in Thailand and Australia, but outside of that, his link-up play and hold-up play were both excellent.
Martial has shown he is more than capable of thriving under Ten Hag and looks hungry to impress and score goals. It will certainly be exciting for United fans to watch Martial play this season.
Left Wing – Marcus Rashford
After a tough season in 2021/22, Marcus Rashford looked in some great form during the pre-season tour. The 24-year-old scored two goals, the second of which finished off an excellent move.
Rashford looked sharp during each game he played and created some good opportunities for his teammates. He also linked up well with those around him and resumed his good partnership with Luke Shaw.
Rashford is in line to start against Brighton, and will no doubt have a huge role to play this season.
Alternative Starter – Raphael Varane
One of the most reputable defenders in the world, Raphael Varane’s first season at United was frustratingly plagued by injuries. The France international is a fast defender, who is strong in his tackles and dominant in the air. He is a complete modern-day centre-back.
If Varane can stay injury-free this season, then United will certainly have one of the best defenders in the world on their hands. Whilst he may not start against Brighton, Varane will no doubt still have an important part to play in what is certainly a long season ahead.
Alternative Starter – Donny van de Beek
Reunited with his former manager Erik ten Hag, United fans will be hoping Donny van de Beek’s Red Devils career will properly get started this season.
The Dutch midfielder registered an excellent assist for Marcus Rashford against Crystal Palace. He linked up excellently with Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial, before finding Rashford in the box, who slotted home.
Against Aston Villa in pre-season, van de Beek started next to Fred in midfield, due to a slight injury to Scott McTominay. This was his first start for United under Ten Hag.
Van de Beek excels when he can make late runs into the box. He is also excellent at link-up play in and around the penalty area. This is something Ten Hag knows and has acknowledged in a recent press conference.
If utilised in the best way, which it is safe to assume he will be, van de Beek could be in for an important role this season.
Alternative Starter – Christian Eriksen
New signing Christian Eriksen is a player Manchester United fans are extremely excited to watch this season. Whilst he may not start against Brighton, there is a great air of anticipation surrounding his competitive debut for the club. To bring in another playmaker of Eriksen’s quality to the squad is an excellent addition.
Eriksen is a versatile player and could quite conceivably play in three different positions mentioned in this article and do a good job in them all.
Wherever Ten Hag decides to play him, it will be exciting to watch such a classy player represent United.
Alternative Starter – Cristiano Ronaldo
There is currently so much unknown surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation.
It currently looks unlikely that Ronaldo will start against Brighton, as the speculation around his future continues, however should he stay at the club this summer, there is no doubt he will have a heavy involvement in proceedings.
Featured Image Credit: Manchester UnitedTopics: Manchester United, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League, Brighton And Hove Albion