Manchester United have taken a 29-man squad to Spain for a winter training camp ahead of two friendly matches this week.
United are preparing for a friendly against Cadiz on Wednesday, followed by Real Betis this coming weekend.
Manager Erik ten Hag is likely to mix up his selections across the two games, giving as many players chances as possible, potentially making wholesale changes at half-time too.
From the players involved, which includes many youngsters including last season’s FA Youth Cup winners, we have taken a look at what the strongest XI might look like.
Most senior stars are away at the World Cup, while Jadon Sancho and Axel Tuanzebe are both also absent as they build up their fitness.
United’s best starting XI from 29-man training squad
Manchester United have a small handful of senior players to lean on, which will comprise largely of the side which will take on Burnley in the Carabao Cup on December 21.
This includes David de Gea in goal, and a back four of Brandon Williams, Victor Lindelof, Teden Mengi and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Mengi is the most experienced of the other young centre-backs available, having featured briefly in the Champions League last season.
In midfield there would be a trio of Scott McTominay, Zidane Iqbal and Donny van de Beek, while Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Martial and Anthony Elanga.
United’s second strength XI
As noted, even if Erik ten Hag picks his strongest XI for Wednesday’s game, what happens when he decides to rotate and field a second choice team.
Of the available players left to him, here is a look at the next strongest XI Ten Hag could select, from the 29-man squad.
Loanee Martin Dubravka would start, but ahead of him it would be a very inexperienced XI.
FA Youth Cup winner Sam Murray is the only other left-back in the squad, while on the opposite side Marc Jurado would slot in at right-back.
There is some depth at centre-back, with Dishon Bernard and Bjorn Hardley completing the back four.
Due to a lack of wingers, Erik ten Hag would be best off to select a midfield four comprising of Charlie Savage, Kobbie Mainoo, Isak Hansen-Aaroen and Shola Shoretire.
Promising duo Charlie McNeill and Joe Hugill would start as a pair up front.
The players left over include goalkeepers Tom Heaton and Nathan Bishop, and centre-backs Tyler Fredricson and Rhys Bennett.
Maxi Oyedele and Dan Gore are additional options in midfield, with winger Noam Emeran an additional option in attack.
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