Manchester United will play an additional friendly against Wrexham on Wednesday as Erik ten Hag looks to give more of his squad minutes on the pitch ahead of the new season.
United had a productive pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia as they picked up confidence-building victories over Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace before being held to a draw by Aston Villa in their final match on Saturday. Ten Hag and his players are now back in the U.K. and after being granted Monday off they were back in training on Tuesday as preparations for the new campaign continue.
United did have two friendly fixtures remaining, with the first team taking on Atletico Madrid in Oslo on Saturday before a second-string side face Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford the following day. However, a behind-closed-doors match against National League side Wrexham has now been added.
The game was initially supposed to see a United youth side in action but Ten Hag has decided to use the opportunity to give extra minutes to those who need them after not featuring as much on tour. New signings Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez could also make their debuts, even though the latter has still not officially completed his transfer from Ajax.
The likes of Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, Fred, Diogo Dalot and Victor Lindelof have started every match in pre-season so far so they may not be involved.
Rich Fay
Ten Hag should use the match as an opportunity to get minutes into as many fringe players as possible, particularly those who might need a fitness boost before involvement this weekend.
Laird and Malacia are worthy of run-outs in the two full-back roles, and it would be great to see Martinez included if his transfer is confirmed in time for the match.
Garner needs more playing time after a limited summer role, and so does Van de Beek. Eriksen would benefit from a first outing as well, ahead of a more formal introduction this weekend.
Up front, Pellistri, Elanga and Amad could all feature as part of a fluid forward line.
Daniel Murphy
Eriksen and Martinez have both missed out on valuable match minutes and training time under Ten Hag after not being involved on the pre-season tour so it’s important they get up to speed as quickly as possible. If they’re available both should start. I’d also play Varane alongside the new signing so he gets a chance to improve his fitness after a stop-start summer so far.
Garner needs significant game time, too, after an injury ruled him out for most of the tour. A midfield of the academy graduate, Eriksen and Van de Beek actually looks pretty tasty, too. Rashford could start in the central striker role with Garnacho and Amad on either flank.
Malacia and Wan-Bissaka could both do with more minutes while Heaton can come in to rest De Gea for the weekend.
Dominic Booth
If Eriksen and Martinez are eligible and fit enough to play, then they should feature in some form. Plenty of other first-teamers got the game time they needed on tour, so the focus should be on bedding in the new boys and ensuring fringe players and youngsters get a game.
James Garner and Donny van de Beek ought to feature in midfield, while it might be worth using Marcus Rashford in a central striking position, should he need to play there this coming season.
Tom Heaton and Aaron Wan-Bissaka might not be regulars in Ten Hag’s side when the competitive action commences, but they fill some spots in this slightly makeshift team. So does Eric Bailly, despite links with Roma.
