Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, and Joshua Zirkzee will make their first-team bows for Manchester United against Fulham on Friday.
Manchester United will aim to kick-start the 2024/25 campaign with a bang when they welcome Fulham to Old Trafford on Friday night. And Erik ten Hag has a few pressing issues hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s first game of the season.
Luke Shaw will miss the first few weeks of the 2024/25 season after sustaining a calf injury. The Englishman has joined Leny Yoro (foot), Tyrell Malacia (knee), and Rasmus Hojlund (hamstring) on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui will be in the matchday squad, at the very least, against Fulham. Erik ten Hag confirmed the duo’s impending involvement during his pre-match press conference. He also discussed the injury issues in his squad.
The Manchester United manager said, “They [Mazraoui and de Ligt] will be in the squad. I think he will return in the short term, it doesn’t take long. We are looking forward of course, Luke Shaw is a very important player for our team. He is massively important so we want to get him back as soon as possible but we can’t force this process.”
“The issues are there, but it’s not about the players who are not available. Like I said last season, it’s about the players who are available and we have a good group. We can make a strong selection, we can put out a strong team, so we will do.”
Luke Shaw’s absence means Noussair Mazraoui will make his first appearance for Manchester United. The Moroccan international will likely join Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, and Lisandro Martinez in the backline. The quartet will protect Andre Onana, who will take his usual spot between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo are automatic picks in the double pivot in the middle of the park. Bruno Fernandes will reprise his usual no. 10 role, while Joshua Zirkzee will lead the line for the home side. Finally, Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo should be the two wide attackers. So, Alejandro Garnacho will be an option on the bench for the hosts.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, de Ligt, Martinez, Mazraoui; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee
