Manchester United pre-season tour: How the struggling giants could line up against Perth Glory

Manchester United had a disastrous 2018/19 season with the Special One Jose Mourinho being sacked in December after a run of torrid results. His replacement, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, had a dry spell of results once being confirmed as the permanent successor. After their victory against PSG in Paris, lady luck just vanished for them - and they won only 2 out of their final 12 games.

The poor form has led to many talented and senior players casting doubts over their future. Ander Herrera has already left for free to join PSG. Paul Pogba has publicly stated that he needs a new challenge, whereas Romelu Lukaku also wishes to play under the new Inter manager Antonio Conte. Lukaku declared the former Chelsea boss to be the best in the world and has been dropping hints of potentially joining Inter all summer.

So, only time will tell whether these two players will remain Red Devils for the upcoming season or not. However, they were still included in the travelling squad to Australia. The notable absentees from the travelling squad are Fred and Matteo Darmian - both not included due to family reasons. They are expected to link up with the team later in the tour.

A couple of new signings - Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka - have joined the team and would be hoping to set Old Trafford alight with their performances. As always, youth products such as James Garner, Tahith Chong, Mason Greenwood, and Angel Gomes will be traveling with the squad. They will hope to gain some valuable minutes under their belt and the trust of the manager. While this pre-season tour will be necessary for these youth products, it's equally crucial for the fringe players of the squad, so that they can stake a claim onto the first-team places.

For the first match against Perth Glory on 13th July, here's the predicted starting lineup:

Goalkeeper

Sergio Romero

United's number 1, David de Gea, joined the group at Carrington later, after being given an extended break. The extended break was because David participated in Spain's qualifiers against Sweden and Faroe Islands (Kepa Arrizabalaga started between the sticks, though).

David de Gea did fly out to Australia with the rest of the teammates but United's number 2, Sergio Romero is expected to start as the goalkeeper for the first match. Romero wasn't picked by Argentina for the Copa America this summer and was available from the very first day at Carrington. He's pretty fresh and would be raring to go.

United's other options include the veteran Lee Grant and Joel Pereira. Lee Grant wasn't instrumental during his only outing against Derby County last season and is expected to be the third-choice goalkeeper this season too. Joel Pereira returns to United after two loan spells at Vitória de Setúbal and Kortrijk - and will be hoping to convince the boss to elevate him to the third choice spot at the club. Dean Henderson wasn't included in the squad at all, with rumors going around that he may be on his way out of the club.

Defenders

Diogo Dalot

Although Diogo Dalot featured for Portugal in this summer's Under-20 World Cup, the tournament was over by 31st May, and Portugal were knocked out in the group stage itself. Aaron Wan-Bissaka featured in U21 Euros this summer, and would not be expected to start the first match of the tour. Ashley Young is the only other specialist right-back but won't be expected to start. Hence, it makes it completely obvious that it'll be the Portuguese who'll be starting at right-back.

Eric Bailly & Axel Tuanzebe

Eric Bailly would be wanting to prove his worth to the manager after having the whole summer to recuperate from his ankle injury and missing the African Cup of Nations in process. There were reports of United thinking of selling Bailly due to his injury record, but an excellent pre-season tour can put him above in the pecking order.

Axel Tuanzebe, after an impressive loan spell at Aston Villa, can be an ideal addition to the defense of the side which shipped 54 league goals last season. By shining on the tour, he can make United believe that they have got quality and versatile center-back and don't need reinforcements.

Luke Shaw

Luke Shaw is the squad's only specialist left-back and is widely expected to start the role in the pre-season and the season. He wasn't included in the England squad for the Nations League Finals this summer, so he's fresh and expected to shine this season.

Midfielders

James Garner

Paul Pogba was holidaying in the USA and had been angling for a move away from Old Trafford all summer. However, he was included in the traveling squad and is with the rest of his teammates in Australia. If his Old Trafford exit doesn't happen now, he's expected to start in the later games of the tour.

James Garner is the captain of England Under-17 team. He traveled with the senior squad last for the last pre-season tour too and made his debut in February against Crystal Palace. Basing his game on his idol Michael Carrick, he operates primarily as a defensive midfielder. With Chong and Gomes being attacking midfielders, and Fred being absent for the first game, he's widely expected to start.

Pereira

Manchester United Belgium-born Brazilian prodigy

Unlike last summer, Fred wasn't in the Brazilian squad this summer for Copa America, and neither was his Brazilian teammate Andreas Pereira. Given the departure of Ander Hererra, it's crucial that Manchester United find a suitable replacement for him. Ole would be expected to give both, Fred and Pereira, adequate game time on the tour to prove their worth to him. Their performances should assure him that no reinforcements shall be needed. Pereira recently signed a new contract with the club and is expected to play more than a bits-and-parts role this season.

McTominay

Manchester United's future midfield anchor

Scott McTominay was a favorite of Mourinho's and his successor, Ole, too. Even though he represented Scotland on June 11, he returned to the pre-season training on time and can be widely expected to start. He gained plaudits for his performance against PSG last season and is expected to play an important role this season too.

Forwards - Daniel James, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial

With both Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard having featured for England in the Nations League, Alexis Sanchez back late after the Copa America and uncertainty over Romelu Lukaku's future, United aren't blessed with too many options in attack for the first pre-season match in Perth.

Lingard and Rashford may be considered, but Solskjaer is more likely to use this game to give Mason Greenwood another start in attack — after he impressed in last season's final match against Cardiff.

Swansea City Pace Machine - now United's

Daniel James was also involved with the Welsh setup this summer, but it'll be a good time for him to show Solskjaer - his attacking prowess and his famed pace. He'll undoubtedly want to get in form pretty soon, as competition for attacking spots is high.

Anthony Martial was not involved with the French national team this summer and would be wanting to have a good pre-season. A good pre-season should impress Ole to give the Frenchman more game time this season and hopefully force his way back to the French team.

Edited by Nnanna Mba