Manchester United’s pre-season is well and truly underway with preparations ramping up while over in the United States of America.
The Red Devils touched down in Chicago on Tuesday to begin the US leg of tour 2025 and for the summer series.
Upon arriving Stateside, Manchester United have upped the intensity in training after two weeks at Carrington.
This follows last weekend when United kicked off pre-season with a 0-0 draw against Leeds United, which had several positives to take from.
In Chicago, training clips have shown the team working on goalscoring, with Kobbie Mainoo impressing Rio Ferdinand with his goal.
Now, all eyes are on Saturday night’s clash with West Ham.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty ImagesManchester United’s strongest line-up to face West Ham
Manchester United take on West Ham at MetLife Stadium at midnight on Sunday morning, UK time, and we fully expect that Ruben Amorim will go with a very strong line-up.
Amorim will want players to get used to their teammates. So with a strong line-up expected, here is the strongest possible team Amorim could name with three players not fit; Joshua Zirkzee, Andre Onana and Lisandro Martinez.
So here is our strongest line-up available to Amorim.
With Andre Onana still not ready to play, Bayindir is almost here by default, although Tom Heaton is definitely pushing him after his performance against Leeds.
Bayindir will want to stake his claim at the club this weekend as United continue to target Senne Lammens.
After very encouraging signs last season, Yoro has developed into a superstar over the summer, adding muscle to his lean frame as he aims to kick on even further.
Yoro was so impressive against Leeds, barely putting a foot wrong while he demonstrated, on several occasions, an excellent passing range to switch play from the right to the left.
In the middle of the back three, it is a toss up between Harry Maguire and De Ligt, but the Dutchman when fit and available is better suited right now to battling Premier League opponents.
De Ligt is on paper excellent and United will hope he kicks on from a solid debut campaign.
The difference between Heaven and Luke Shaw in the left centre-back role is night and day, with the 18-year-old former Arsenal ace a huge improvement.
Heaven is the best option for this role, at least until Martinez returns.
With the signings in attack this summer, it seems nailed on that Amad will find himself playing at right wing-back where he has been so impressive in the past 12 months.
Amad will be able to combine with attackers and likely even interchange and move further forward at points throughout the match.
Casemiro would be the choice of many in a strongest team, however, considering his struggles against Premier League opposition last season we need Ugarte to show he can take the position and make it his own.
Ugarte has been backed for a top season by Amorim and he needs to prove why.
Kobbie Mainoo impressed against Leeds, however, he still has ways to go before he can replace the club captain in a strongest line-up.
Fernandes was poor against Leeds, however this will be his first chance alongside the two big money signings to catch the eye.
While Diego Leon has been impressing, Dorgu was so impressive against Leeds and looks to have taken a step forward.
Dorgu was so dangerous down the left, looking in excellent shape, and levels ahead of his performances last season. A huge 2025/26 awaits the Dane.
This week saw the arrival of Mbeumo into the United squad training sessions. United signed Mbeumo for a fee of £65m and he already looks like an immense signing.
Mbeumo has already impressed during training and he is an immediate starter. We cannot wait to see him in action.
Alongside Mbeumo, we want to see Cunha starting so that the pair can start building an in game understanding together.
Cunha was impressive for United against Leeds, with flashes of brilliance, but he will want to show another level this weekend and is clearly one of the club’s best players.
Picking United’s strongest number nine is a choice which is difficult for all the wrong reasons, with Rasmus Hojlund not deserving to be named.
So with Zirkzee out, we are backing Obi as the best striker available this weekend, having shown more than Hojlund over the post-season and pre-season tours to date.
Manchester United XI vs West Ham – GRV Media Line-up tool