Manchester United’s ideal starting XI after Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro signings

Manchester United’s ideal starting XI for next season is slowly coming together following the additions of Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro.

The Reds secured the signing of Zirkzee last week and are set to announce Yoro as the latest addition after he completes his medical on Thursday.

Both players have addressed the priority issues that INEOS wanted to solve early on in the window at centre-back and striker.

Erik ten Hag’s ideal team for next season seems to be slowly coming together, but there is one clear area that needs fixing.

At the back, Yoro will likely come into partner Lisandro Martínez in front of André Onana. The pair seem like they could build an impressive partnership.

However, an additional centre-back, such as Matthijs de Ligt, would be beneficial since Yoro is still only 18 and needs time to adjust.

Ideally, Ten Hag will want to see Diogo Dalot be paired with Luke Shaw on the defensive flanks. He returned from injury for England during Euro 2024.

In the midfield, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes are the obvious starters, with them being two of the club’s best players. Yet that third midfield slot has yet to be resolved.

Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay all have uncertain futures at the moment, and options from elsewhere are slim. It seems like the Brazilian remains the best current player but INEOS will be looking to improve their midfield next.

At the top of the pitch, Ten Hag now has various different options with the styles of Zirkzee and Højlund.

Should the Dutchman impress and take the starting spot, it is likely that we see him flanked by the likes of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

For now, this team – on the surface – looks promising. The most important things to address are the central midfield quality as well as the depth across the squad.

Full XI

André Onana; Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw; Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes; Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee, Marcus Rashford

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