Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount headline Manchester United’s first pre-season match of the 2024/25 season against Rosenborg. Among the notable absentees from this squad are Euro 24 and Copa America participants, as well as players like Andre Onana, Victor Lindelof, Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood, Antony, and Amad Diallo.
Harry Maguire is still recovering from an injury, while Tyrell Malacia, despite returning to individual training after a year, is not available.
This has left the team with few regular first-team players. However, the match sees the return of some players who spent the previous season on loan.
Will Fish, who had an impressive stint with Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League, will start in central defense alongside Jonny Evans. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and 19-year-old Sam Murray will cover the flanks, with Radek Vitek in goal. Hannibal, who was loaned out to Sevilla last season, starts in midfield with Casemiro. Ethan Williams and Ethan Wheatley are also set to play, with Williams likely on the left wing and Wheatley up front. Mount is expected to occupy the number 10 role, with Rashford on the right wing.
The inclusion of Williams and Murray has surprised many, as Harry Amass and Toby Collyer were anticipated to start at left back and in central midfield, respectively. Hannibal, seeking to revive his career, will aim to impress either to secure his place in Erik ten Hag’s squad or to attract potential suitors.
For Mount, a strong pre-season is crucial after an injury-riddled 2023/24 campaign left him frustrated. Similarly, Rashford is keen to rebound from a personally disappointing season. Whether the influence of Ruud van Nistelrooy, one of the club’s legendary strikers, will improve Rashford’s finishing remains to be seen.
The starting lineup for United is Vitek in goal; Wan-Bissaka, Evans, Fish, and Murray in defense; Casemiro, Hannibal, Rashford, Mount, Williams in midfield; and Wheatley up front. The substitutes are Harrison, Mee, Aljofree, Amass, Bennett, Jackson, Ogunneye, Collyer, J. Fletcher, Mather, Oyedele, Scanlon, Ennis, and Hugill.
The match kicks off at 5pm BST in Trondheim.
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