Manchester United will be targeting a winning start to their pre-season schedule when they face Norwegian outfit Rosenborg at the Lerkendal Stadion in Trondheim on Monday evening.
United’s players reported back to Carrington for the start of pre-season training last week and have spent the past seven days putting the hard yards in on the training ground.
United announced a 25-man travelling squad for their pre-season opener on Sunday, with several big-name players missing including Andre Onana, Harry Maguire and Antony. Jadon Sancho has also been omitted from the squad after recently returning to the fold.
Just as he did for United’s pre-season opener in Norway 12 months ago, Erik ten Hag’s squad features a blend of youth and experience, meaning the Dutchman will almost certainly make the most of the opportunity to mix and match. He could make wholesale changes at half-time to hand minutes to as many players as possible.
Ten Hag has named three goalkeepers in the squad, including Radek Vitek, who made 18 appearances out on loan at Accrington Stanley last season. Dermot Mee and Elyh Harrison will also be hoping for action.
If Ten Hag decides to approach the game in the same way he did against Leeds United in the Reds’ pre-season opener last year, he could start with a strong XI before ringing changes at the break. So Aaron Wan-Bissaka could start at right-back with Will Fish, who was a regular on loan at Hibernian last term, at centre-back alongside Rhys Bennett.
Jonny Evans has travelled and may feature at some stage after signing a new deal at Old Trafford on Friday. Harry Amass could get the nod at left-back.
In midfield, Casemiro is in pole position to start after a summer free from international football. Mason Mount is another big-name player in contention to feature from the start as he aims to put a disappointing maiden season at Old Trafford behind him.
Toby Collyer and Hannibal Mejbri will be among those vying for the final spot in United’s three-man midfield. The former recently put pen to paper on a new contract.
United are light on options in forward areas after travelling to Norway without Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Amad. Marcus Rashford has travelled and could start from the left.
Ethan Wheatley and Joe Hugill will be battling to lead from the front in the centre of attack, supported by Ethan Ennis from the right. Ennis, 19, joined United from Liverpool in 2021.
Predicted United XI vs Rosenborg: Vitek; Wan-Bissaka, Fish, Bennett, Amass; Casemiro, Hannibal, Mount; Ennis, Wheatley, Rashford.
