Erik ten Hag ‘not focused on Man City result’ as Man Utd player backed for surprise start

Lee Sharpe has suggested that Erik ten Hag will snub one of Manchester United’s stars of pre-season, Amad, for their 2024/25 curtain-raiser against Manchester City on Saturday. The Manchester rivals are set to meet again at Wembley Stadium in the Community Shield, less than three months after playing out a thrilling FA Cup final.

While the Community Shield is viewed by many as the final pre-season outing for the two clubs involved, Ten Hag has made no secret of his desire to win a third trophy in as many years.

But he faces a severe selection headache under the famous arch due to the staggered nature of his squad’s return from holiday after their involvement at Euro 2024 and the Copa America.

Altay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri and Joshua Zirkzee didn’t feature on the tour of the United States.

They reported to Carrington earlier in August and only recently reunited with their teammates, but all eight stars have travelled to London and will be in the squad.

Sharpe doesn’t think Mainoo will be ready to start in midfield immediately, but the former United winger has backed Ten Hag to call on Garnacho, despite his lack of match sharpness compared to the Dutchman’s other options.

“I think he’ll probably have a few young lads in. I think Yoro is obviously injured and out. I don’t think it’ll be too far off what finished the FA Cup final,” Sharpe told Express Sport.

“I think you’ll have Rashford, I think you’ll have Garnacho, Mainoo probably won’t start because he’s not been back long enough. Casemiro will start.

“I think Shaw’s lacking match sharpness so maybe the young lad [Harry Amass] at left-back. Maybe Dalot right-back.”

Garnacho started 38 consecutive games at the end of last season and made 50 appearances throughout the entire campaign, the joint-most of any outfield player alongside Dalot.

But Ten Hag has positioned Amad for a breakout season, while Antony, Jadon Sancho and Facundo Pellistri fuel the competition on the right side of his attack.

Sharpe also played up to the friendly narrative, claiming Ten Hag will be more focused on preparing his core squad members for next Friday’s Premier League opener against Fulham than lifting silverware.

He added: “I think he’ll focus on players getting minutes more than getting a result.

“He won’t want to be beaten 5-0, of course, but he will be looking to give players minutes rather than looking for a winning team of what he’ll pick a week later.”

Express Sport’s Predicted XI: Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Amass; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee.