Manchester United kick off the 2019-20 campaign with a difficult fixture against rivals Chelsea at Old Trafford, who will be under new manager Frank Lampard.
The Red Devils spent big on two defenders – Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, both of whom will significantly strengthen the United backline.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has most of his first-team players fit for the first game against Chelsea, barring central defender Eric Bailly, who has undergone yet another knee surgery after injuring himself in pre-season.
Let’s take a look at the team that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could put out for the game against Chelsea:
Predicted Manchester United lineup vs Chelsea
Goalkeeper
Despite a lot of speculation, David de Gea has remained a Manchester United player and will start the season between the sticks for United.
Defence
Manchester United might have a new-look backline against Chelsea, as both summer signings, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, might start at centre-back and right-back respectively.
Victor Lindelof should line up alongside Maguire, while Luke Shaw should feature at left-back. Although Maguire has yet to play in a United shirt, he was part of Leicester City’s pre-season tour and is match fit.
Midfield
Paul Pogba was a bit unsettled in the summer, but the Frenchman has remained at the club and will start for United in the centre of midfield, and will most likely be joined by Scott McTominay.
Solskjaer has played a No. 10 for most of the games in pre-season, and we could see that continue against Chelsea, with one of Jesse Lingard or Juan Mata playing in that role. Lingard may be chosen over Mata as he will contribute defensively as well.
Attack
The departure of Romelu Lukaku means that Marcus Rashford will be United’s first-choice striker for the 2019-20 season. He and Anthony Martial could play in the striker and left-wing position for United against Chelsea, with both players interchanging and attacking centrally.
Solskjaer could keep United’s other summer signing, Daniel James, on the bench, and start Juan Mata on the right, with Mata and Lingard interchanging between the right-wing and central attacking midfield position.
