Manchester United’s first game of the Premier League season against Arsenal is closing in and Ruben Amorim’s potential line up for the game is interesting.
Manchester United concluded their pre-season tour of the United States on a high by winning the Premier League Summer Series.
Following a goalless draw with Leeds in Sweden, United kicked off their U.S. campaign with a 2-1 win over West Ham, followed by an impressive 4-1 victory against Bournemouth.
A 2-2 draw with Everton brought a more competitive test, but it was still enough to see United finish top of the standings and lift the trophy.
For Ruben Amorim, the tour offered valuable lessons as he continues to shape his squad. There were clear positives in terms of performances, fitness and tactical progression, though a few areas still need work before the competitive action begins.
After the final pre-season clash against Fiorentina at Old Trafford this weekend, United’s full focus will shift to their Premier League opener against Arsenal, and Amorim will already be thinking about his starting team for that fixture.
How United could line up vs Arsenal in Premier League opener
Most of United’s team for that opener against Arsenal seems quite straight forward. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are likely to start as the no.10s while Amad and Patrick Dorgu play at wingback.
Bruno Fernandes could have been involved in the attacking unit alongside Mbeumo and Cunha, as we seen against Everton, but the Reds are moving forward in a potential deal for Benjamin Sesko.
The latest reports have revealed that United have submitted a £73 million bid and that Sesko would prefer to join United over Newcastle, and it seems likely that a deal is agreed before this Arsenal clash.
Sesko has already been in pre-season training, so could end up being fit enough to play against the Gunners, which would then mean Fernandes could play in the midfield pivot.
His partner in there is the big question mark for Amorim after Manuel Ugarte’s ‘shocking’ display against Everton and Casemiro’s underwhelming performances over pre-season.
Kobbie Mainoo has looked sharp over pre-season and should be afforded the chance to start the game, even though Amorim may be considering Casemiro for his experience against a tough opposition. Any new midfield signings will probably have to wait until the final days of the window.
Leny Yoro is guaranteed to start the clash after looking sharp in his pre-season outings and Luke Shaw could start on the opposite side ahead of Ayden Heaven.
In between them, it is a 50-50 guess between Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt but the former might snatch a place in the team, partly due to Arsenal’s set-piece threat.
Even though he has been injured during pre-season, it looks like André Onana will be fit for the game and he is almost guaranteed to start if that is the case.
Arsenal will provide a tough test for Amorim’s side and there remain question marks over the midfield, although the new-look attack would be a very exciting prospect.
United XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Amad, Mainoo, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.