Zirkzee to play in an important role for Ten Hag”, Possible Man United XI vs Man city tomorrow as four key players being ruled out injured – selection headache for Ten Hag
Manchester United will help raise the curtain on the 2024/25 season on Saturday.
For the first time since 2016, Manchester United are featuring in the Community Shield, and it presents Erik ten Hag with a huge chance for silverware to start the campaign.
It will be a repeat of May’s FA Cup final, which as we all know very well, ended 2-1 for United thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
So the stakes will be high for this game, even though for many it is a glorified friendly game – bragging rights and silverware mean this year it is more meaningful than ever.
Injury concerns however will play a huge role in the game, as Ten Hag faces as many as six absentees – along with just three senior defenders being fit.
How Manchester United could line-up for the Community Shield
Manchester United have a chance to get one over on the city rivals this weekend with the first chance of silverware for the 2024/25 season.
Because of this, we expect that Ten Hag will go with a strong line-up and apart from the defence, he is spoilt for choice here. So here is our first predicted XI of the season.
Andre Onana
Andre Onana had a worrying pre-season and conceded plenty of goals which has left Paul Scholes worried. But we expect a display similar to what we saw on our last trip to Wembley from the Cameroonian.
Diogo Dalot
Next up, returning to the team after his unsuccessful Euro 2024 campaign is Diogo Dalot. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a doubt and therefore the Portuguese ace should easily waltz back into the line-up.
Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans starting the 2024 Community Shield for United is something few would have expected, but due to injuries, there is little other choice than the experienced Northern Irishman.
Lisandro Martinez
Alongside Evans, Ten Hag will be thrilled to have Lisandro Martinez back. He is likely to feature from the start due to injuries, fresh off his Copa America triumph.
Harry Amass
At left-back, Luke Shaw looks set to miss out with Ten Hag saying he will have to wait and see. Therefore, it seems nailed on that 17-year-old Harry Amass starts again after an impressive pre-season.
Casemiro
Casemiro has had a poor pre-season, but United are yet to strengthen in midfield which means he will likely start here where we hope he can pull out a vintage performance.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo is back and ready for his second season in professional football. A superstar in the making we cannot wait to see him back in red on Saturday afternoon – with Toby Collyer likely to feature from the bench.
Amad Diallo
On the right, the star of pre-season was Amad Diallo and he needs to start here again considering the form he is in. Man City could struggle to contain him.
Bruno Fernandes
Another player returning to the starting line-up is captain fantastic, Bruno Fernandes. Missing out will be Mason Mount who will feel hard done by, but he should get a solid chunk of minutes from the bench now he has proved himself.
Marcus Rashford
After looking sharp in pre-season, Marcus Rashford should continue in the starting line-up here ahead of Alejandro Garnacho who recently returned. A strong performance is needed though otherwise, the Argentine will probably start against Fulham.
Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho has been solid in pre-season and with Rasmus Hojlund injured and Joshua Zirkzee only just started training with his new team we think Sancho starts against his former club. A player who has completely changed his fortunes over the past month.
