After several seasons, Man United have had a great transfer window but none of that would matter if they can’t challenge for the Premier League title this season.
The Red Devils will begin the 2023/24 season on Monday when they welcome Wolves at Old Trafford and based on the summer business they have done, Manchester United are the heavy favourites to pick up a win.
Erik ten Hag had a successful first season with Man United as the club won a trophy and also got back into the Champions League so now, the next step for him will be to push his team to challenge Manchester City and Arsenal for the EPL trophy.
United won both their league games against Wolves last season and it will be interesting to see how Ten Hag sets up his team now that he’s gotten big reinforcements. One by one, the Man United management has made sure that the Dutch coach gets most of his requirements fulfilled so unlike the previous managers, Ten Hag will have very little room for excuses this campaign.
Manchester United’s team news and injuries:
The likes of Tyrell Malacia, Amad and Anthony Martial are injured and will miss the season opener but ETH has a big enough squad to not be worried.
David De Gea has not been handed a new contract and Manchester United have brought in Andre Onana which is perhaps the biggest signing under the ETH era. The manager has been very clear that he needs a keeper who is good with his feet and with Onana, he’s got a world-class keeper who’s great at making play from the back.
Martinez and Varane will pair up in central defence with Luke Shaw and Wan-Bissaka starting as the two full-backs. The club have been linked with Benjamin Pavard but even if United are lucky, they won’t be able to wrap up the transfer within the next one or two days.
Eriksen and Casemiro played as the two central midfielders last season but Man United have signed Mason Mount and the former Chelsea man will immediately come into the starting line up, replacing Christian Eriksen.
It will be very exciting to see how United’s midfield trio operates because Mason Mount can work in various roles. Everyone is waiting to see if he and Casemiro play as a double central pivot or does Ten Hag go bold and make Casemiro sit deep pushing Mount further up front, besides Bruno Fernandes.
Garancho had a great previous season and the Argentine had a strong pre-season as well but we think the Manchester United manager will start him on the bench against Wolves. Latest arrival, Rasmus Hojlund will definitely lead the line which means Marcus Rashford will tuck into the left-hand side.
Garnacho can only play on the left flank which means the youngster will have to be content with a substitute’s appearance on Monday. The Man United manager has immense faith in the winger but he will be really careful not to push him into the deep end of the pool from the very first matchday. Ten Hag will want Garnacho to prove his worth during the course of the season and because the Red Devils will be attacking all fronts, he will get a lot of chances to move up the pecking order.
Jadon Sancho did not have a great previous season and time is ticking for the England international. If he cannot impress his manager in the first half of the season then there’s a big chance Ten Hag will sanction his sale in January.
Man United predicted line up vs Wolves:
Predicted Starting XI(4-2-3-1): Onana; Lisandro Martinez, Varane, Shaw, AWB; Casemiro, Mason Mount; Fernandes; Rashford, Antony; Rasmus Hojlund.
