Shaw, De Ligt, Zirkzee – Manchester United early team news vs Fulham (Premier League)

The latest Manchester United team news as Erik ten Hag prepares his squad for the opening Premier League fixture of the 2024/25 campaign.

Following on from a loss on penalties against Manchester City during the 2024 Community Shield, Manchester United are turning their attention to the first competitive fixture of 2024/25.

Having finished the last Premier League campaign eighth in the table, Erik ten Hag is looking to gear his squad to a top-four finish and return to the Champions League.

Read More: Manchester United in duel transfer talks as Erik ten Hag’s midfielder hunt continues

They will welcome Fulham to Old Trafford on Friday, the first day of the season, and the Dutchman will have three of his new signings available to make their debuts.

Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui underwent their medical tests at Carrington on Monday ahead of their signings as new Manchester United players. Both players will be available to represent their new clubs against Fulham.

However, if Ten Hag chooses to start either De Ligt or Mazraoui, it is a different scenario. Both players will have only trained with their new players for a few days, and if Ten Hag’s attitude with Joshua Zirkzee is anything to go by, he may leave them off the team sheet on Friday.

Despite being on the bench against Man City, the new singing Zirkzee did not see any minutes. Ten Hag explained that as a new signing, he needed to play more times and get up to speed with his teammates fitness-wise before he could play.

De LIgt and Mazraoui may face the same fate for now, with all of Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez, and Jonny Evans fit to play against Fulham.

Martínez started at left-back for the fixture at Wembley Stadium but may return to his more natural centre-back position back at Old Trafford, depending on whether Ten Hag chooses to start one of Harry Amass or Mazraoui following the injury to Luke Shaw

United announced on Tuesday evening that Shaw had sustained a calf injury and would miss the opening games of the Premier League season. He is expected to return after the September international break.

Rasmus Højlund will be out until the middle of September, while Leny Yoro will spend at least three months on the sidelines rehabilitating from foot surgery.

Victor Lindelöf was not part of the United squad last weekend after he was hauled off against Liverpool in the United States two weeks ago during pre-season, and Ten Hag is expected to address his fitness in his pre-match press conference later this week.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set to sign for West Ham United in the coming days.

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