Manchester United is set to begin their Premier League season today against Fulham at Old Trafford. Following their narrow loss to Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend, Erik ten Hag’s team aims to start the new campaign on a positive note. New signing Noussair Mazraoui is in the starting lineup, taking on a significant role in the defense.
With Luke Shaw sidelined until after the upcoming international break due to a calf injury and Tyrell Malacia also unavailable, United’s options at full-back are limited. Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s recent transfer to West Ham further exacerbates this situation.
Ten Hag addressed the challenge of managing the left side of his defense, mentioning that Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot are versatile enough to cover the position.
He also emphasized Mazraoui’s ability to adapt to the demands of English football, which could be crucial during this period of limited defensive resources.
Joshua Zirkzee, another recent addition to the squad, could make his debut from the bench after being an unused substitute in the Community Shield. Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojlund is unavailable due to a hamstring injury, and Leny Yoro will be out until October as he recovers from foot surgery.
Despite these setbacks, Ten Hag remains focused on the players who are fit and ready to play. He expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to field a strong team, emphasizing that the focus should be on those who are available rather than those sidelined by injury.
Manchester United’s starting lineup for the match includes Onana in goal, with Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, and Mazraoui forming the defense. Casemiro and Mainoo will anchor the midfield, with Amad, Fernandes, and Mount supporting Rashford in attack. The bench features Bayindir, De Ligt, Evans, Collyer, Eriksen, McTominay, Antony, Garnacho, and Zirkzee.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 8pm BST on Friday, August 16, 2024, as United looks to set a strong tone for the season ahead.
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