Manchester United will hope to start the new Premier League season on a winning note when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage this Friday at Old Trafford.
Eric ten Hag was under pressure through the entirety of the Premier League last season. However, he finished on a high, beating rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final to lift his second trophy in as many seasons.
Although the club have signed some talented players over the summer transfer window, injuries remain a concern ahead of the new season as several of their players are unavailable.
Manchester United Team News vs Fulham
The club received a much-needed shot in the arm with the arrivals of Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich. The duo will be in the squad to face Fulham, ten Hag confirmed (h/t The Athletic).
Joshua Zirkzee, who signed from Bologna, is tentative for the clash against Fulham. Rasmus Hojlund is also unavailable. And Leny Yoro, also signed in the window, is out for around three months having undergone a foot surgery.
Luke Shaw is not expected to feature as he is still regaining his match fitness.
Predicted Manchester United Lineup vs Fulham (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper and defence
Andre Onana should be the number one, and the former Inter Milan man will hope to improve his performance in goal. The Cameroonian had an inconsistent first season at Old Trafford.
Diogo Dalot and Mazraoui are expected to start as the full-backs. Although Lizandro Martinez has played at left-back before, we might see ten Hag throw Mazraoui straight into the action and try to get him acclimatized to the system immediately.
Martinez is expected to start at the heart of the defence, and he could be partnered with Harry Maguire. The latter started the Community Shield game against Manchester City and is expected to feature until de Ligt makes his way into the team after a few more training sessions.
Midfield
Thankfully ten Hag doesn’t have any injury issues befalling his midfielders ahead of the new season. Casemiro and academy star Kobbie Mainoo are set to feature in the centre of midfield.
Although Casemiro had a few moments last season where his lack of pace was exposed, he was impressive with his ball-winning and tackling. The Brazilian averaged 3.3 tackles a game in the Premier League last season. (Stats via Whoscored)
Mason Mount has featured as the attacking midfielder against Manchester City and could again start there come Friday.
Attack
Zirkzee did not come off the bench against Manchester City, and we don’t see him making the Manchester United lineup against Fulham. Bruno Fernandes played as a striker last weekend, and could once again start in that role.
Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are expected to start as the two wide attacking players. Ten Hag has options to call off the bench, with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Amad Diallo available.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Mazraoui; Casemiro, Mainoo, Mount; Rashford, Garnacho, Fernandes
