Erik ten Hag has confirmed his Manchester United starting XI to face Melbourne Victory in the second game of the club’s pre-season schedule.
United have travelled from Thailand to Australia this week and this is the only game of Ten Hag’s first four which is not against Premier League opposition.
Confirmed Manchester United XI v Melbourne Victory
Starting XI: Heaton, Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Sancho, Fernandes, Elanga, Martial
Substitutes: Bishop, Kovar, Bailly, Rashford, Malacia, Amad, Telles, Pellistri, Wan-Bissaka, Van de Beek, Laird, Chong, Hannibal, Fish, Garnacho, Iqbal, Savage
The big news is that David de Gea is not in the squad at all, having seemingly failed to recover from the injury he picked up in the 4-0 win over Liverpool.
Ten Hag said earlier this week that Harry Maguire would be back and fit enough to play 45 minutes and he has been restored to the starting line-up.
He also captains the side, which should be a boost for the England defender’s confidence, after a tough season last time around.
There is also no sign of Raphael Varane among the extended squad for this game, with the Frenchman having started the Liverpool game.
Along with those two, the other change from the Liverpool game sees Marcus Rashford drop to the bench, with Anthony Elanga getting a start.
Will Fish has been added to the touring party and he is in the squad, replacing the injured Axel Tuanzebe, with Phil Jones also still at home.
On paper, these are the weakest opponents United will face on the tour and that may offer up opportunities for some younger players to come on later in the game.
Ten Hag could have thrown them in from the start, but he has resisted that temptation here, preferring to work with something closer to his best side.
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