Erik ten Hag reveals Matthijs de Ligt debut verdict and two other Manchester United XI hints

Erik ten Hag has issued his verdict on whether he could start Matthijs de Ligt against Fulham, along with two other Manchester United starting XI hints.

After a narrow penalty shootout defeat to Manchester City in the 2024 Community Shield, Manchester United are now focusing on the start of the 2024/25 season.

With last season’s eighth-place finish in mind, Erik ten Hag is determined to guide his squad back into the Premier League top four and secure a return to the Champions League.

Read More: Club director in talks with Manchester United for £25m deal, Chelsea hold the key to potential transfer

The campaign kicks off on Friday with a home fixture against Fulham at Old Trafford, where ten Hag could hand debuts to three of his new signings.

The main question on people’s lips over the last week has been whether the Dutch manager will decide to start new signing Matthijs de Ligt, considering United’s injury issues in defence. The club announced the centre-back’s transfer on Tuesday evening, and he has been training with the group for the last two days.

When asked, Ten Hag replied by telling the press that “they will be in the squad” to face Fulham but admitted that they may take time to adapt.

“It’s true, it’s not the pre-season where in 5-6 weeks work on a team, it’s very complicated,” the Dutch manager continued when asked if new signings will need time.

“The USA tour squad, and then we added the players at Euros and Copa America and now new signings, and we have to make a team from it. That team is not ready, but the league starts, and more managers have this problem.

“Still, we have some room, have some principles and we have to make a start. We can’t hide; we have to deal with it.”

Speaking more specifically on Mazraoui, the Dutchman said: “It’s quite difficult to put him under pressure, especially in English football, that can be very beneficial. There is always pressure on the ball. This is a player: one of his key attributes is it is very difficult to put him under pressure because he often finds solutions.”

Beyond addressing De Ligt and Mazraoui’s debut status, this also gives fans two further hints at the XI that will be read out at Old Trafford.

With Zirkzee also counting as one of these new signings, Ten Hag may be hinting that Bruno Fernandes could once again start up front as he did against Man City, with Zirkzee still needing time to adapt.

Further, with no left-backs available and Mazraoui seemingly not likely to start, Lisandro Martínez could once again start at left-back as he did at Wembley Stadium.

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