Manchester United fans should finally get to see wonderkid JJ Gabriel play for the first team on Friday, although he is unlikely to be in the starting line-up.
The Red Devils got off to a drab start in their pre-season campaign, losing 1-0 to Wrexham in Helsinki. Gabriel did not travel to that fixture as he had been granted extended leave. However, expectation is high that he is in the travelling party heading for Trondheim to face the Norwegian side Rosenborg.
Tweaks and Changes
It is not yet known whether new recruit Cristian Orozco will also be thrown into the mix, but it is almost certainly too early for this week’s new addition, winger Tynan Thompson. That aside, head coach Michael Carrick is expected to name a similar starting line-up to the one that failed to register against the Welsh side, although we expect a number of new faces to get a chance in the second half. Saturday’s contingent produced a performance that was even more insipid than that of the starting side.
Defence
Senne Lammens and Altay Bayindir are among those on post-World Cup holiday, and new signing Karl Darlow has a slight knock, so he is unlikely to make his debut. Tom Heaton started against Wrexham, but we expect either Dermot Mee or Radek Vitek to get the nod this time. Vitek is the subject of a great deal of transfer speculation, but did acquit himself well in the second half against Phil Parkinson’s men.
Leny Yoro will again start at right-back, with Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven as the centre-backs, and Luke Shaw at left-back. Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui and Lisandro Martinez have all been on World Cup duty, while Matthijs de Ligt continues his rehab following back surgery. Martinez may also be injured in any case, having limped off the pitch during the World Cup final.
Harry Amass and Jaydon Kamason were among United’s better performers last weekend and could get more minutes.
Midfield
Andrey Santos was excellent in his debut and will most likely start again alongside Mason Mount. Jack Fletcher looked out of his depth against the Red Dragons and could be replaced by his twin brother Tyler or by Toby Collyer, who was influential in that second half. Dan Gore, Jim Thwaites and the Fletcher twins are also in contention.
Manuel Ugarte sustained an ACL injury that will keep him out for a big chunk of the season. Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans are on holiday.
Attack
Benjamin Sesko is unlikely to be ready as he continues to recover from injury.
Bryan Mbeumo should start on the right wing, with Patrick Dorgu on the left. If Fletcher is dropped, Josh Zirkzee is expected to play in the number 10 position and Chido Obi, who was not given any minutes on Saturday, could come in up top.
Gabriel will probably be given minutes in the second half, and it will be interesting to see how he performs against senior opposition who are 13 games into their season. Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Marcus Rashford are on holiday.
Final thoughts
- Yoro to continue at right-back and Dorgu on the left wing
- JJ Gabriel to make his debut
- Chido Obi to lead the line, Fletcher to make way
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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