Manchester United’s pre-season kicks off this Monday against Rosenborg in Norway, here’s how we’ve predicted Erik ten Hag will line up.
After returning to training last Monday, the Manchester United squad will be well into their pre-season preparations now ahead of the first test of the summer against Rosenborg.
Erik ten Hag has a weakened squad to choose from with several key players – nearly all of whom are starters – remaining either on holiday or gearing up to play in the Euro 2024 or Copa America final.
A handful of players have also been left at Carrington, including Harry Maguire, Antony, Andre Onana, Amad and Victor Lindelof, although United have still managed to take a 25-man travelling squad.
Here is our predicted line-up to face off against Rosenborg from the start.
How Manchester United could line up vs Rosenborg
Pre-season begins on Monday and Ten Hag will get to name his first team of the summer.
Here’s how we see him lining up his United side…
Radek Vitek
Andre Onana is not among those travelling. He is working on his fitness back at Carrington, and there is also no Tom Heaton or Altay Bayindir.
Radek Vitek is one of three goalkeepers taken, along with Elyh Harrison and Dermot Mee.
Vitek impressed out on loan at Accrington Stanley and is the most experienced of the three, also featuring in the second half against Wrexham last year. This is a great opportunity for him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Starting pre-season at right-back should be Aaron Wan-Bissaka due to Diogo Dalot being on holiday.
The lethal tackler’s future at Old Trafford isn’t guaranteed beyond this summer with interest from Galatasaray, so this will be a chance for him to show Ten Hag he should be kept.
Will Fish
Will Fish will likely start in central defence. The youngster has been a regular in pre-season for Manchester United in recent years.
He has spent the last two seasons on loan at Hibernian. This is a good chance for him to try and make an impression – even though a summer exit is still most likely.
Jonny Evans
Veteran defender Jonny Evans could start after his return to Manchester United was confirmed.
Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have been left behind at Carrington to work on his fitness, while Willy Kamwbwala is heading for the exit.
Harry Amass
With both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia unavailable for the game against Rosenborg, surely it’s time we get to see Harry Amass in action.
The 17-year-old was immense for the U18s and U21s last season and made himself a regular in the match-day squads for Ten Hag. If he impresses, he could be the answer to the left-back conundrum for United.
Casemiro
The legendary Brazilian, Casemiro, is playing for his Old Trafford career right now with the club looking to upgrade on him with Manuel Ugarte.
Casemiro struggled last season and is likely to be the subject of Saudi Arabian interest this summer. That being said due to a lack of options, he starts here against Rosenborg.
Toby Collyer
Alongside Casemiro, we think Toby Collyer gets the chance ahead of Hannibal Mejbri to start against Rosenborg, fresh off signing a new contract.
Collyer is a player the club appears to be high on, so it’d be a surprise if he wasn’t to start here considering the number of midfielders absent.
Mason Mount
For Mason Mount, the next few weeks will be key in order to set himself up for the season to be a success, following a bad debut campaign.
Mount should be given every chance possible to find form during pre-season and Bruno Fernandes’ absence at least until the US Tour should allow him a strong start. He must improve this season.
Sam Mather
Amad, Antony, and Jadon Sancho also did not travel. This creates a spot out wide. Last season Erik ten Hag sprang a surprise by starting Omari Forson in the opening game.
Look for the manager to do similar this season, possibly with FA Youth Cup winning winger Sam Mather.
Marcus Rashford
On the left, Marcus Rashford is the man who should be starting with Alejandro Garnacho still at Copa America. Rashford had a disappointing season in 2023/24 and will be working hard to bounce back.
Hopefully, the academy graduate returns with a bang and finds the form of 2022/23. Otherwise, it could be a long season for him, while Ineos are already said to be questioning his future.
- READ MORE: Who is Marcus Rashford? Inside the life of Man Utd’s book-writing, government-tackling ace
Ethan Wheatley
Up top, Joshua Zirkzee is the club’s new striker but he won’t be in the squad to face Rosenborg and neither will Rasmus Hojlund, so it’s probable Ethan Wheatley leads the line.
After an impressive campaign in which he made his senior debut, Wheatley is the only striker in the squad for this game and therefore should really be playing.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
