Rúben Amorim is not expected to start Bryan Mbeumo as Manchester United face West Ham in their second pre-season friendly this summer.
Manchester United have arrived in the United States for the next leg of their pre-season schedule, as Rúben Amorim continues to shape his squad ahead of his first full season in charge.
Their first outing ended in a 0-0 draw with Leeds United in Stockholm, but there were positive performances from Leny Yoro, Kobbie Mainoo, and new signing Matheus Cunha.
Next up is a fixture against Graham Potter’s West Ham in New Jersey, part of the Premier League Summer Series, which also features Everton and Bournemouth.
United will be based in Chicago for the duration of their 10-day stay, facing the other participating sides before returning home to host David de Gea’s Fiorentina at Old Trafford in their final pre-season match.
Amorim may not start Mbeumo vs West Ham
While Amorim chose to select two distinct but mixed XIs for the first and second halves against Leeds, it is likely that the team that starts against West Ham will more closely reflect Amorim’s ideal starting team.
However, with André Onana still out of action due to a hamstring problem, Altay Bayındır is expected to keep his place in goal for now. But, this may change in the coming weeks as United target 23-year-old Senne Lammens for the position.
In the back three, although Ayden Heaven continues to impress, Leny Yoro will almost certainly continue at left centre-back, with Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui retaining the places in the middle and on the right, respectively.
New signing Bryan Mbeumo has been training with his new teammates for the last few days, but having missed the opening weeks of pre-season, he is a little behind on his fitness, so he is more likely to come off the bench.
With this in mind, Diogo Dalot may start at right wing-back instead of Amad, with the latter looking likely to continue in the right forward spot, for now. After a good display against Leeds in the second half, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu will be on the left.
Dorgu will therefore have his chance to combine with Matheus Cunha on the field for the first time, and United’s fans will be able to see the pair in action on the left flank, with the duo hopefully forming a fantastic relationship.
As for the midfield, Bruno Fernandes is expected to play a deeper role next campaign and may start alongside Casemiro, although it’s thought Mainoo will also be given plenty of time to shine on the pitch across the three US games.
In the attack, it was 17-year-old Chido Obi who started at striker against Leeds in the first half before Rasmus Højlund took his place for the second 45 minutes.
With Joshua Zirkzee now returning to action after a minor injury prevented his travel to Sweden last weekend, Højlund may be granted the starting spot while the Dutchman then plays his first pre-season minutes in the second half as Amorim continues to assess who should start the season up front.
United predicted XI vs West Ham
Bayındır, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro, Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu, Amad, Højlund, Cunha.
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