Erik ten Hag has revamped the spine of his Manchester United side this summer, with Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Andre Onana all joining the club.
Onana’s arrival is significant as it spelled the end of David de Gea’s 12-year-stay at the club and the Cameroon international has already left quite the impression following his on-pitch dispute with former club captain Harry Maguire.
Mount has been a central figure in pre-season preparations so far and he is likely to start the season in midfield alongside Casemiro, another certain starter.
There are questions marks over whether Hojlund’s imminent arrival will be completed in time for the Danish international to take part in any pre-season friendlies.
If not, it is likely that he will be eased into life at United. Ten Hag could, however, throw him straight into the deep end as he has done with other signings in the past.
When it became clear that De Gea would not be sticking around, Ten Hag immediately identified Onana as the perfect fit. Speaking when the signing was made official, Ten Hag explained exactly why he fought so hard to be reunited with the former Barcelona starlet.
“But also the capabilities of a keeper is [about] keeping the goal clean. So this is the first criterion of a good goalkeeper,” Ten Hag said.
“But, nowadays, football also demands good playing from the back, out-playing qualities, and that is a quality Andre has. You need both and you need to cover both areas. So yeah, we’re happy, of course.”
Going into the new season, Ten Hag has a settled back four from the last campaign. Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane will be reunited after their stellar partnership was disrupted due to injury for the final stretch of last season.
Luke Shaw will occupy the left flank and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will almost certainly come out on top in the battle to start at right-back despite Diogo Dalot’s new long-term contract.
Further up the pitch, Casemiro could be partnered by Mason Mount, with Bruno Fernandes roaming in the pockets as he does. Marcus Rashford, United’s top scorer from last season, will start on the left.
Ten Hag has the choice of using Jadon Sancho or Antony on the opposite flank but the Dutchman prefers using left-footed players on the right side, giving the Brazil international the edge.
Hojlund has been brought in to lead the line and once he has settled in, he will feature in most games. Sancho is also an option through the middle after a promising trial as a false nine in pre-season friendlies.
Anthony Martial remains an option but his worrying fitness record is still an issue. As things stand, he will not be fit for the start of the season.
Possible Manchester United line-up (4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mount; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund