Man Utd team news: Predicted XI vs Man City as Erik ten Hag hands out two exciting debuts

Manchester United commence their season against Manchester City in the Community Shield this afternoon, as Wembley hosts a rematch of May’s FA Cup final. Erik ten Hag is eyeing a third piece of silverware in as many years at the dawn of a crucial campaign, where improvements across the board will be mandatory.

Both teams will have big names missing, with United suffering from continued defensive injuries and some of City’s stars due back from holiday next week.

Express Sport runs through (or makes an estimated guess) how Ten Hag will line up for his side’s final match before the Premier League kicks off next Friday.

Goalkeeper – Onana

Andre Onana started all but one game throughout his first season as United’s goalkeeper and was prominent throughout pre-season.

The Cameroon international has hinted at a more risky style of play in his second campaign at Old Trafford, but he has to improve in other areas, too.

Defence – Dalot, Evans, Martinez, Amass

Diogo Dalot was among the late returnees at Carrington this summer. However, Ten Hag has confirmed that Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a doubt for the City clash, and Dalot will remain his first-choice right-back.

At left-back, the Dutchman has also suggested Luke Shaw won’t be involved at Wembley, having started pre-season training days ago.

Step up, 17-year-old Harry Amass, who could become United’s 251st academy graduate after accumulating plenty of pre-season minutes.

With Leny Yoro injured for three months and Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof doubts for this weekend, Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans are Ten Hag’s only available centre-backs.

Midfield – Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes

Casemiro looks set to stay at Old Trafford due to a lack of interest, and he started all five of United’s pre-season games.

Kobbie Mainoo will remain a crucial fixture of Ten Hag’s midfield after a remarkable breakout year for club and country, and he could be given his first minutes of the campaign from the off.

But if he’s alternatively eased in, Mason Mount or Scott McTominay could partner Casemiro behind Bruno Fernandes.

The United captain is among the players who didn’t feature in pre-season after participating at Euro 2024, but he can be relied upon from the first minute of 2024/25 to the last.

Attack – Amad, Rashford, Zirkzee

Ten Hag has something of a selection headache on the right of his attack between Amad, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Facundo Pellistri.

Amad was one of the stars of United’s pre-season preparations, though, and he has been backed to enjoy an impressive campaign by his manager.

Marcus Rashford is almost certain to start on the left after also playing a significant role in the preparations. Ten Hag is also confident his fortunes will drastically improve in the coming months.

With Rasmus Hojlund sidelined for six weeks with a hamstring injury, £36.5million new arrival Joshua Zirkzee is in line to make his first United start.