Manchester United kick off their 2023/24 Premier League season at home against Wolves on Monday evening.
With the summer additions of Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund, the Red Devils will look to challenge on all fronts this term. They won the Carabao Cup and finished third in the league last campaign, which should have pleased Erik ten Hag in his first year at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag will be looking to build upon his team’s third-place finish from last term, hoping to start the new campaign with a win over Wolves, who have appointed Gary O’Neil as their new manager after Julen Lopetegui left the club early last week.
Manchester United Team News
Monday night’s game comes too soon for new boy Rasmus Hojlund, who has arrived from Atalanta with a minor back problem and will need to wait on the wings for a ‘few weeks’ to get up to speed.
Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Tom Heaton will miss the season opener, while Anthony Martial is unlikely to start against Wolves as he continues his recuperation from a hamstring injury.
Harry Maguire, Eric Bailly, Dean Henderson and Fred are not expected to be involved on Monday as speculation continues over their respective futures.
Predicted Man United Lineup vs Wolves (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Andre Onana, who has replaced the departed David de Gea as the club’s new No.1, is set to make his official debut for the club on Monday. The Cameroonian shot-stopper will hope to keep a clean sheet against Wolves.
Defence
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez were the first-choice centre-back pairing last season and there is no reason why Ten Hag splits that partnership in United’s first game of the new campaign against Wolves. The duo will look to impress once again and establish themselves as the first-choice in the Man United lineup.
With the hosts expected to dominate the ball, Diogo Dalot could be preferred ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back in the Man United lineup. Luke Shaw is the undisputed first-choice left-back under Ten Hag, and he will complete United’s back four against Wolves.
Midfield
One of last season’s most influential summer signings, Casemiro was the bedrock of United enjoying a successful 2022/23 season. The most decorated defensive midfielder in the division, the Brazilian will protect the back four.
Bruno Fernandes, the new captain, is an excellent choice to link United’s midfield to their attack. Furthermore, his switch to a deeper No.8 role—as witnessed in the pre-season—highlights the added responsibility and expectations on his shoulders.
Operating as another No.8 in the Man United lineup, Mason Mount will bring a lot of energy, tenacity and creativity to this United side. He will be expected to fluidly interchange positions with Fernandes throughout the game.
Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay and Hannibal Mejbri will provide cover for the midfield positions from the bench.
Attack
Jadon Sancho looked sharp in pre-season in a false 9 role, and in the absence of Rasmus Hojlund, Ten Hag could be tempted to go with the England international as a centre-forward in the Man United lineup.
Antony and Marcus Rashford will bring plenty of pace, flair and dynamism from the wide areas. They will look to link up well with Sancho, Fernandes and Mount and cause problems for the Wolves defenders.
Alejandro Garnacho had an impressive pre-season and he will be looking to play a bigger role for the Red Devils than last season. However, he is expected to start on the bench in United’s season opener against Gary O’Neil’s side.
