Predicting Man Utd's Starting XI on the Opening Day of 2024/25

Highlights

• Manchester United targets Matthijs de Ligt, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Manuel Ugarte could all strengthen the squad.

• United reportedly interested in forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna to help bolster the ranks up front.

• Erik ten Hag's men open up the campaign with a home game against Fulham.

As the days start to tick down towards the opening day of the 2024/25 season, clubs across the country have started putting the pieces together on what their team would look like come August. At Manchester United, fresh off their decision to stick with manager Erik ten Hag after his FA Cup success last season, there are requirements needed all over a side that slumped to an 8th-placed finish in the Premier League.

With defender Raphael Varane leaving the club and fellow backline partners throughout struggling for fitness and form, eyes are cast towards the world centre-backs as they aim to reinforce their spine. In addition to this, further signings are required in the centre of the park and at the helm, amidst the departure of Anthony Martial and the lack of backup for young talent Rasmus Hojlund. With several new faces expected at Old Trafford ahead of the new season, here is how Erik ten Hag's side could potentially line up in the first match of the Premier League season, at home to Fulham.

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Manchester United had four reasons for deciding to keep Erik ten Hag as manager following the club's end-of-season review.

Goalkeeper and Defence

There are gaps at the back that need filling

Starting in goal would be Andre Onana. After a rocky start to his Manchester United career, which included several high-profile mistakes against the likes of Nottingham Forest and Bayern Munich, the Cameroonian shot-stopper improved massively going into the season's latter stages, showing far more of the shot-stopping ability and high-level distribution we expected from him after is arrival from Inter.

In the line ahead, we feature Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot as the starting full-backs. Shaw endured an injury hit campaign, failing to make an appearance for the Red Devils after February. Dalot was one of the more consistent members of a Manchester United side that finished in 8th place in the Premier League. Defensive solidity is high on the priority list at Old Trafford and Manchester United have been linked with Matthijs de Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite, of Bayern Munich and Everton respectively.

With Varane off, Jonny Evans a mere backup and Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez struggling for fitness and form, an overhaul of sorts may be necessary, and the duo of de Ligt and Branthwaite would bring reinforcement in spades, but for a likely high double-cost, with Branthwaite, described as 'pretty special' by Jamie Carragher, valued at around £70m by Everton. De Ligt is unlikely to come on the cheap either, with the Dutch defender reportedly going to cost north of £40m.

Midfield

United reportedly interested in Uruguayan ace

In the centre of the park, rare bright sparks from the 2023/24 season are found in Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo. With the duo consistently impressing despite United's misfortune last season, it is only natural to see the pair continue to lead from the middle of the revamped Red Devils. Joining them in midfield could be PSG midfielder, Manuel Ugarte.

Reports have broken out that the Uruguayan man would appreciate a move to the Premier League with Manchester United reportedly interested in the midfielder, who is yet to hold down a starting place in the French capital. The 23-year-old, who would likely cost around £50m, would be a fine addition that looks to the future whilst also adding a level of solidity into the middle of a midfield in need of new recruits, especially after the poor performances last season of Casemiro, who is reportedly available on loan.

Attack

In the final third, supplied with support from Shaw, Garnacho, Mainoo and Fernandes, we may find Hojlund partnering up with long-term target Joshua Zirkzee. The Red Devils are expected to activate the young Dutchman's release clause this summer, which stands at a value of £33m.

After 11 Serie A goals in 2023/24 that helped see Bologna qualify for the Champions League, against all the odds, Zirkzee has had many suitors as the window has stretched on, with the former Bayern prospect deemed to possess similar qualities to Hojlund that may allow the duo to flourish alongside one another.

Hojlund had a mixed bag in his debut Manchester United campaign, with a goalless run in the Premier League stretching on until December before breaking his duck against Aston Villa. But a strike partner with the talents of Zirkzee alongside him, who was described by Willem Weijs as being "really spectacular", the likelihood would be that we may not need to wait as long as we did last season for Hojlund to kick on.