Man United face West Ham United in their opening game of their US tour at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
George is a Senior Football Writer for the Manchester Evening News, mostly covering Manchester United. He previously worked for football.london before joining the MEN team in July 2021. As well as covering United, George is a Championship-enthusiast and co-hosts The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24), which you can find on all major podcast platforms.
Bryan Mbeumo could make his Manchester United debut against West Ham United.(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
Manchester United will be targeting their first win of pre-season when they face West Ham United at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday (12am BST).
The clash with the Hammers will mark United’s opening game of their pre-season tour of the United States and their first in the Premier League Summer Series. They will play three games during their time stateside.
The Reds kicked off their pre-season campaign with a lifeless goalless draw against Leeds United in Stockholm last weekend, meaning head coach Ruben Amorim will be hoping to see an improved performance following another week’s worth of training.
After deploying different XIs in either half against the Whites, Amorim could increase the number of minutes he hands out to his players against the Hammers, meaning some could increase their load from 45 minutes to 60.
All eyes at the MetLife Stadium will be on new signing Bryan Mbeumo after he finally sealed his move to United from Brentford on Monday. He was included in the 33-man squad that has travelled to the US and could make his first appearance for the club.
Despite showing a few jitters in the first half against Leeds, Altay Bayindir could preserve his place in the starting XI amid Andre Onana’s continued absence. The latter has travelled to the US but is still sidelined because of a hamstring injury.
With no shortage of options available, Amorim will have plenty of scope to experiment throughout the tour, not least at centre-back. The Portuguese chief has a plethora of options to fill the three centre-back berths.
After coming off the bench for the second half last weekend, youngsters Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven will be eyeing starting berths. They may occupy the two wide centre-back spots, flanking Matthijs de Ligt.
Harry Maguire travelled to the US the day after the rest of his teammates, meaning he may appear in the second half via the bench. Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw will also be eyeing more minutes.
Harry Maguire arrived in the US on Wednesday.(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
Diogo Dalot was bright and energetic in the second half against Leeds after coming on at half-time, likewise Patrick Dorgu, meaning they could occupy the two wing-back berths in New Jersey.
In the centre of midfield, Kobbie Mainoo enjoyed a prosperous second half against the Yorkshire outfit and could push for a start. Captain Bruno Fernandes could be deployed alongside him for the first time this pre-season.
Having had only a few days worth of training with his new teammates, Mbeumo may not be thrown in straight from the start in New Jersey, instead being introduced via the bench at some stage. It means Amad could operate as the right-sided No.10.
Matheus Cunha offered flashes of what he will bring to Old Trafford in the first half against Leeds and is likely to retain his place. Rasmus Hojlund could replace Chido Obi up front and start at the tip of the attack.
How Manchester United could line-up against West Ham United in New Jersey.
United predicted XI vs West Ham United: Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Heaven; Dalot, Mainoo, Fernandes, Dorgu; Amad, Cunha; Hojlund.