Manchester United predicted lineup vs Brighton

Manchester United kick off the Erik ten Hag era by hosting Brighton on Sunday afternoon.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson hung up his hairdryer nine years ago, Ten Hag will become the eighth different individual to oversee a Manchester United match this weekend.

Here’s the XI that may make up the first Premier League lineup of Ten Hag’s tenure.

David de Gea (GK) – Manchester United’s player of the season for a fifth time last term described the 2021/22 campaign as “a very tough season; embarrassing sometimes”.

Diogo Dalot (RB) – One of Dalot’s first coaches, Luis Travessa, insists that the fullback’s natural physique means: “He could be an athlete in any other sport.”

Harry Maguire (CB) – The Manchester United captain prepared for another season to the soundtrack of boos during preseason.

Lisandro Martinez (CB) – Few players since Peter Crouch – for very different reasons – have had their height so intricately linked to their perceived quality as the 5’9 Martinez.

Tyrell Malacia (LB) – With Alex Telles spending some of preseason at centre-back, preparing his team for the passing angles Martinez will provide, Malacia thrived at fullback in the absence of the ailing Luke Shaw.

Fred (CM) – Having once been banned for a year after testing positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide in 2015, Fred has a clean bill of health to start the new season.

Scott McTominay (CM) – The inaugural recipient of the Jose Mourinho Player of the Season Award has to win over a fifth different Manchester United incumbent.

Jadon Sancho (RW) – A promising preseason actually spent in the role on the right he was purchased to fill was ended by an illness he is expected to recover from.

Bruno Fernandes (AM) – For the first time since his single season at Sampdoria half a decade ago, Fernandes failed to score a penalty last term, missing the two he took.

Anthony Elanga (LW) – Anthony Martial’s namesake may replace the injured Frenchman if Ten Hag deems Cristiano Ronaldo to still be at the start of his road to full fitness.

Marcus Rashford (ST) – He may lead the line for Manchester United on Sunday but Rashford hasn’t scored in a Premier League start since May 2021 (his four goals last season were off the bench).