With the new Premier League season just nine days away, Manchester United have another chance to step up their preparations against Everton in their final pre-season game at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Devils have benefited from three pre-season games so far against Derby County, Queens Park Rangers and Brentford. Unfortunately, the Mancunian club had to cancel their pre-season friendly with Preston North End at Deepdale last weekend due to a COVID-19 outbreak in their camp.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are currently training in Scotland ahead of Saturday’s game against Everton, who will be managed by Rafael Benitez next season.
Manchester United Team News
A host of Manchester United first-team players teamed up with their respective nations at Euro 2020 and Copa America 2021 earlier this summer. After some much-needed holidays, rest and recovery, players like David de Gea, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Paul Pogba, Fred and many more have only returned to training this week.
New signing Jadon Sancho is yet to join the Reds in training, while Raphael Varane is finally set to arrive in Manchester from Madrid after his visa issues were sorted out on Wednesday.
However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces a few worrying situations as far as United’s injury problems are concerned.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson returned to training in the middle of July and has pulled out of United’s pre-season training camp in Scotland after contracting COVID-19. Alex Telles picked up an ankle injury in training before the Brentford game that is likely to see him miss the start of the season, whereas Marcus Rashford has decided to undergo surgery on his troubled shoulder that will sideline him for two months.
Meanwhile, Anthony Elanga has not travelled with the squad to Scotland on Monday due to a minor problem and is believed to have received treatment at United’s Carrington training base (h/t: Manchester Evening News)
Predicted Manchester United lineup vs Everton (4-2-3-1)
Defence
Summer signing Tom Heaton has started all of United’s pre-season games and is likely to retain his spot in goal against Everton.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams will keep their places at either full-back position. Teden Mengi has started in every pre-season game and that won’t change on Saturday. However, Axel Tuanzebe, his centre-back partner, could miss out as he closes in on a season-long move to Aston Villa. This could see club captain Harry Maguire come into the Manchester United lineup and marshal his troops.
Midfield
The likes of Fernandes, Pogba, Fred have only returned to training this week, so Solskjaer is unlikely to throw them into the Manchester United lineup straightaway. This could see Nemanja Matic and Donny van de Beek start in the double-pivot for the Reds.
Juan Mata is expected to play a more adventurous role from midfield having impressed against Brentford last week.
Attack
Arguably Manchester United’s best player in the pre-season tour, Jesse Lingard is expected to keep his place on the left flank. Daniel James will start on the right-wing and aim to stretch Everton’s backline at Old Trafford.
With Elanga missing out with an injury, Mason Greenwood should lead the Reds’ attack and look to get himself on the score sheet before the new campaign begins on August 14.
