That said, things changed yesterday when it emerged that Man Utd had completed a deal with Bayern Munich to sign £60m duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui who would give the defence a different dimension.
The defence was an area of concern for Erik ten Hag. It still is, going into the new season due to the injury-prone nature of the players but Man Utd have made two smart additions. So, how could Erik ten Hag choose to line-up with the duo in his XI?
For starters, Andre Onana will continue being the undisputed starter in the goal. The Cameroonian will be hoping to step up and deliver better performances than last season. In front of him could be a back-four containing Noussair Mazraoui at right-back, Matthijs de Ligt at right centre-back, Lisandro Martinez at left centre-back and Luke Shaw at left-back.
Diogo Dalot has been one of Man Utd’s best players in the past 18 months and Mazraoui will have to alternate with the Portuguese international for a starting role. That said, De Ligt is likely to walk into the XI, especially in the absence of yet another signing Leny Yoro for three months.
Coming to the midfield, Casemiro has shown enough in pre-season for Man Utd to persist with him in defensive midfield. The club haven’t signed any player to replace him either, making him a direct shoo-in. Partnering him at the base of midfield would be English prodigy Kobbie Mainoo.
In front of the duo, Bruno Fernandes is certain to play as the #10, with Mason Mount available to provide backup. Marcus Rashford is expected to start from the left (if and when fit) and Alejandro Garnacho deserves to start from the right.
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