Manchester United kick off the US leg of this summer’s pre-season against Arsenal, here’s our predicted XI for the match.
After two pre-season fixtures against Rosenborg and Rangers, now the competition steps up a level, with Premier League rivals Arsenal awaiting Manchester United in Los Angeles.
Erik ten Hag has a strong squad to choose from, bolstered by the returns of a few players from Euro 2024.
Several exciting young talents have been included in the squad for the game too which means we will likely see more wonderkids get a chance to put in a statement performance.
So as we near the game, here’s how we have predicted United to line up against Arsenal.
How Manchester United could lineup vs Arsenal
It’s the first real challenge of the summer for United, and as last summer, it comes against Arsenal. With a few players returned from knocks and also from their Euro 2024 involvements, here is how we see Ten Hag lining up his side with his 29-man United squad to choose from.
Andre Onana
In goal, there’s little debating that Andre Onana will be starting although we’d love to see Radek Vitek get a run out too after how impressive he was against Rosenborg.
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With this being Onana’s second season at United we expect that he will be greatly improved, with a stronger defence likely to help.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Playing for his Manchester United career, the future of Aaron Wan-Bissaka looks dubious at best with Noussair Mazraoui a target.
Wan-Bissaka is the only right-back on tour, but in training clips, it seemed that Victor Lindelof has lined up at right-back.
Leny Yoro
Leny Yoro is already the star man – as Rasmus Hojlund labelled him – in United’s defence and after his impressive debut, we’re excited to see more from him.
For Yoro, as many minutes in pre-season as possible will be useful to help him grow an understanding with his teammates.
Jonny Evans
Alongside Yoro, we think Ten Hag will stick with Jonny Evans after his solid outing last weekend.
Harry Maguire is yet to feature so it’d make sense to go with the more match-fit option from minute one.
Sam Murray
With Tyrell Malacia back at Carrington and Luke Shaw on holiday, Sam Murray is likely to start against Arsenal, as he has done in both friendlies so far.
Murray is clearly favoured right now to Harry Amass considering the age difference, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Amass get the nod.
Casemiro
With United’s hunt for a new defensive midfielder ongoing, Casemiro continues to play for Ten Hag’s side and he is in line to start here as well.
Scott McTominay has also returned and could be an option, but it’s hard to see Casemiro being dropped here.
Toby Collyer
Collyer is quietly but surely playing his way into having a role next season and as things stand we imagine a competitive debut is his next month.
Amad Diallo
After scoring a wondergoal against Rangers which was reminiscent of Bukayo Saka against Switzerland, Amad Diallo is a shoo-in to start here.
His conclusion to last season and how he’s begun pre-season should affirm his place as the first-choice right-winger, at least unless Alejandro Garnacho is to be used there.
Mason Mount
Mason Mount is quietly having a really encouraging pre-season, building his confidence and match fitness after a poor opening campaign.
Mount assisted Amad’s goal against Rangers, and with Bruno Fernandes still on holiday, it makes sense that he should start here.
Marcus Rashford
After missing out against Rangers due to a knock, Marcus Rashford should return against Arsenal as he looks to build some confidence before next season.
Erik ten Hag has signalled his faith in Rashford in the pre-match press conference and if we had to make a prediction, it seems the smart bet to assume he’ll be back to his best.
Rasmus Hojlund
Back from a dismal Euro 2024, Rasmus Hojlund will be keen to improve on his 16-goal tally last season during his second campaign for United.
While Ethan Wheatley is on tour, we imagine Hojlund will be thrown straight back into the starting XI to face Arsenal so he can start getting sharp for the Community Shield in two weeks.
