Manchester United begin the 2024/25 Premier League campaign on Friday against Fulham.
After over a month of pre-season preparations, Manchester United are finally set to kick off the Premier League campaign at Old Trafford when Fulham visit on Friday night.
Pre-season was a real mixed bag for Erik ten Hag, with three defeats but the performances as a whole have been very encouraging – with United outplaying Manchester City at Wembley last weekend.
Reinforcements have arrived with four names brought in to date. There has also been a clearout with the most recent casualty being Aaron Wan-Bissaka who joined West Ham.
With such an impressive squad, hopes are high and a much better campaign is expected after finishing eighth last season. Here is how we have predicted United’s first XI of the season could look.
How Manchester United could line-up vs Fulham
Later today, United kick off the new season, and after Ten Hag’s team news on Friday, it could be a very strong XI we are going to see fielded.
So here is the first predicted XI of the season.
Andre Onana
Starting in goal, it’s the most nailed-on starter in the team, Andre Onana. The Cameroonian needs to kick on this season after his opening campaign and he will be hoping that his defence helps him rather than hindering this season.
Noussair Mazraoui
Starting at right-back is the first debutant in the line-up, with Noussair Mazraoui available and therefore likely to play here. He and Diogo Dalot could effectively interchange through the game as both are good on either side. But for Mazraoui, starting on the right will be easier as he will be alongside a familiar face.
Matthijs de Ligt
Alongside Mazraoui, we predict will be Matthijs de Ligt for his United debut. The continued absence of Leny Yoro makes it an easy decision to start De Ligt as he is already impressing fans with training clips. Cannot wait to see our new No.4 in action.
Lisandro Martinez
After being pushed to left-back against City, Lisandro Martinez should be back in his favoured central defence position for this game, alongside a new partner in De Ligt.
- READ MORE: Who is Lisandro Martinez? Step inside the life of Manchester United’s tenacious Argentine
Diogo Dalot
Dalot was among the best players at the club last season and won the Players’ Player of the Season to round off a great year. This season we expect him and Mazraoui to share the right-back position but with so many injuries at left-back, Dalot will have to do a job for his manager.
Casemiro
Central midfield remains the only priority position not to be strengthened yet this summer, and so Casemiro will start. The Brazilian was really good against Man City and showed signs of returning to the levels he showed in 2022/23, but an addition would still be welcomed.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo started against Manchester City and was instantly impressive, therefore we imagine that he will be raring to go against Fulham and hopefully start the season strong.
Amad Diallo
Amad Diallo was the star of pre-season and he has earned himself a place in the starting line-up. He was a dangerman during the first half against Man City and therefore surely Ten Hag cannot drop him.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes is fresh off signing his new contract and will lead the team out on Friday night at Old Trafford with the aim of putting down a statement to the rest of the league. He already has one assist this campaign and will want to continue this record against Fulham – and prove Marco Silva was right to fear him.
Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho looks set for a gigantic season with United. He arrived back from his holidays to score a world-class goal against City – which has been compared with Lionel Messi – and in doing so re-established that he should be starting over Marcus Rashford.
Joshua Zirkzee
Up front, it is the third and final debut maker here against Fulham as Joshua Zirkzee gets his first minutes as a United player. He did not play against City and in the game, so many chances were just begging for a striker in the box so he needs to start here.
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