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Manchester United will be playing Chelsea on Sunday in their first Premier League game of the season. The fans have got to be excited about the team, especially after what they have seen so far from their team in pre-season games. This will without a doubt be a much sterner test than the pre-season games they've played.
The game will no doubt have some colourful moments and it may set the benchmark for the season for both teams. Chelsea will be playing for the first time in a competitive fixture under Frank Lampard and if pre-season is anything to go by, exciting times lie ahead for them.
Manchester United, too, had a great pre-season and they are expected to implement their new style of play in a competitive fixture against Chelsea on Sunday. This game will not be lacking in drama and fireworks from all indications.
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Here’s what we can expect to see from the Red Devils in this tie.
A new look back-four
For the first time in years, Manchester United's defence picks itself. With the addition of Wan-Bissaka to this side, the team now has a specialist full-back that can complement the other defenders. And, in Harry Maguire, they now have a centre back ready to nail down the position alongside Victor Lindelof.
The left-back is now fully owned by Luke Shaw who was United’s standout performer last season. The back four for this game and in most games of the season, barring any serious injuries is going to be Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.
The back four - on paper, atleast - looks settled and the manager will be happy about the players he can call upon to guard David de Gea's goal.
The midfield that will likely anchor United through the season
It is not clear yet who will be the second central midfielder for United for next season. Paul Pogba looks set to stay despite foreign teams still having time to make a bid for him. Manchester United, however, don't look like they'll entertain any bids for him as they haven't signed anyone to replace him. He's going to be the first choice, no doubt.
That now leaves the vacancy of who will partner him in the centre of the pitch for the season. We’ve already seen that Ole Gunnar wants to play him in a conductor role on the right of his midfield. It was a role that he thrived on for France in the World Cup that they eventually won.
It’s going to be a straight forward battle between the likes of Nemanja Matic, Fred and Scott McTominay to partner the talented Frenchman. McTominay has looked confident, agile, mobile and dependable which makes him the likely one to get the nod here. And perhaps that could be the case throughout the season.
Battle for the wing-forward positions
It is going to be really exciting to see which players start in the wing-forward positions for Manchester United in this tie. We already know that Marcus Rashford is likely going to be United’s main striker for the season, who will partner him up front are the ones yet to be known.
Mason Greenwood has already shown that he’s ready to take up the right-wing position and the manager has been encouraging him to. But he’s not alone there, there’s still Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata to contend with.
On the left, that’s where there’s likely to be more competitive with Anthony Martial and Daniel James all vying to start. Solskjaer likes the young dynamic players to occupy those positions and whoever gets the nod against Chelsea will have his chance to impress and maybe stake a claim for that postion for the season.
Spotlight on Marcus Rashford
It’s still early to call it, but this may be the game that shows Solskjaer and his backroom staff if English international Marcus Rashford is ready to lead the line for them this season. Rashford is no doubt one of the most exciting players to watch in this United side, but as last season proved he still needs to work on his game.
There were times last season when he was unplayable then other moments when he just looked like a hyped-up United graduate. This will be the season where he will undoubtedly start as Manchester United first-choice striker and he has to rise to the occasion.
It is a huge responsibility on his young shoulders but he has to rise to the against. In this tie against Chelsea, he will have to show that he has what it takes against a defensively tough side. If he comes out on top, it may just set the benchmark for his season where he’s expected to flourish.
Is de Gea Manchester United's first team captain?
It's clear now that Ashley Young is going to be Manchester United's club captain for this season. However, the manager still hasn't appointed the first team captain as Ashley Young is unlikely to start a huge chunk of games for the team.
Of course, when Young starts or even at times when he comes in, he'll be donning the armband, but who is going to wear it in his absence? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has the likes of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, David de Gea and even Chris Smalling who can proudly wear the armband, but he needs a permanent choice for the first team captain.
And, with De Gea almost assured to start all league games this season and of course being that he's been at the club longer than both Pogba and Matic, he may be in line to assume the role. He has worn the armband a couple of times in Solskjaer's tenure and the manager has faith in him.
