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Manchester United kick off their campaign against 2016 champions Leicester City at Old Trafford amidst a lot of transfer speculation concerning Harry Maguire. The Foxes have already lost Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City and it remains to be seen whether or not another big name player will leave the King Power Stadium. It has been reported on various quarters that United are preparing a world record fee for Maguire who was instrumental in England's impressive semi-final run in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
United are no strangers to pulling off deadline day deals and still have time to make several things happen. In the 2016 deadline, United completed the signing of a relatively unknown teenage striker Anthony Martial in a shocking 36 million pounds transfer. This was the highest ever fees paid in history for the services of a teenager. The then manager Louis Van Gaal kept the media in the dark, thus driving the transfer speculation off the roofs.
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Current United boss Jose Mourinho has a lot to ponder before his team lines up to host Leicester City on Friday in the opening Premier League match of the 2018/2019 season. He still has to negotiate through the prospect of some star players leaving, like Martial and the rumoured 100 million pound departure of Paul Pogba. Also, Mourinho has to put a formidable team against the Foxes so as to get to the best possible start of the season. However, United have some injury problems with other players regaining match fitness after the World Cup.
Mourinho could line up with a compact 4-3-3 formation for this one.
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
The 2018 Golden Glove winner is the first name on the team sheet if fit. He has proven time and again to be United's best player in the last couple of seasons. He played his part in United's two last friendly matches after the conclusion of his World Cup break. He had a tournament to forget in Russia after making mistakes in which Spain conceded.
De Gea looks to be back at his sharpest and ready to electrify the Premier League and indeed the world with his acrobatic saves to prevent certain goals. Mourinho will have a slight headache if De Gea develops a problem because back up goalkeeper Sergio Romero is still in recovery mode. At the moment, De Gea is the best keeper in the league and will look to ensure that remains so.
Centre-backs
Eric Bailly/Chris Smalling
The central defensive position is an area that has given Mourinho one or two things to think about. Given that he will not have all his players fully fit for the tie, his first pick ideally would be Bailly. He is a combative defender who can read the game well and has the speed to match many attacking players. He picked up a slight injury in pre-season and his full recovery will be crucial for United.
Smalling, on the other hand, has good experience in the Premier League. He proved last season that he too can be dangerous on set pieces by contributing four goals. Smalling struggled against Leicester last season with the presence of Maguire and Wes Morgan, proving difficult to deal with in set pieces. If Bailly is not fully fit, then he will be the natural replacement to start.
Phil Jones
He is not the most assured of central defenders especially in big matches but Mourinho's options are limited. Despite not playing much for England at the World Cup, he should get the nod in this one given that United are still concluding some transfer business for a new centre back.
If they succeed, it is highly unlikely that they will walk right into the starting 11. Jones played against Bayern Munich in United's final pre-season match and should be picked as a centre-back partner to either Bailly or Smalling.
Full-backs
Luke Shaw
The 23-year-old England international has got some good game time during the pre-season tour. He should start at left back as more players in his position recover or get full match fitness. Ashley Young had a long ride with England and even picked up a few knocks at the tournament in Russia.
This is Shaw's great opportunity to prove his worth since his record 27 million pounds move from Southampton in 2014. He was highly criticised last season by Mourinho and many would feel that this will be the final chance to step up or face the possibility of being axed.
Antonio Valencia/Matteo Darmian
Valencia would be the outright first choice in this right back position. The 33-year-old Ecuadorian has evolved well into the mould of a modern full-back after playing as a winger in his earlier career. He got injured during the pre-season tour but more recently gave United an injury boost. He is back in training and should start if the medical team give him the thumbs up.
Darmian is a natural replacement for Valencia on Friday. The want-away Italian has been linked with a move elsewhere. He has got less and less playing time since his move to United a few seasons back from Torino. While a move to Serie A is still possible, Darmian offers a solid defensive presence that will be vital in slowing down the unpredictable Leicester City attack.
Midfielders
Ander Herrera
The Spaniard has been instrumental in keeping the midfield area tidy for United. He has also popped up with crucial assists and goals at his time. Due to Nemanja Matic's unavailability, he might be called upon to play furthest deep of the three midfielders. It is a job that he understands well and can apply the necessary dark arts when required.
Fred
The newly signed Brazilian is a versatile player who will be crucial this season for United. He can play in a variety of positions in midfield and offer that much-needed dynamism in the absence of Paul Pogba. Fred will be the main man for United on Friday when the Old Trafford faithful get a glimpse of what he can offer. He can interchange positions with Herrera when the Spaniard drifts forward and also help to string passes to the offensive players.
Scott McTominay
The towering 6 ft 4 youngster broke in the first team last season and drew much praise from Mourinho. Despite his lack of experience, he has the drive and passion to retain balls and push forward when necessary. His role in the midfield will be to disrupt play and look to engage the attacking players given that he has sufficient back up from Herrera and Fred. He will also be a target man on set pieces.
Wingers
Alexis Sanchez
The Chilean international has had a good outing in the pre-season tour by scoring two goals. He showed signs of the ruthless forward he was at Arsenal. This should give him a huge confidence boost heading into the new season. Sanchez is also a mobile player who can cleverly slip behind the opposition defence and look for goal-scoring opportunities. He has a point to prove to United supporters as Mourinho himself touted him to succeed this season after only joining in January.
Juan Mata
Although a more central attacking midfielder, Mata could start on the right wing and look for creative passes into the box. He has good control of the ball and a brilliant passer of the ball. He should the chief creative force for United on Friday as he links up well with other offensive players.
He has in the past shown great ability to time his runs and clinical in front of goal. Although he typically never finishes the full 90 minutes, he is expected to make the most of his time on the pitch.
Striker: Marcus Rashford
The England international did not get as much time as he would have hoped at the World Cup. However, he has looked sharp and has the added motivation of being United's new 'number 10'. Mourinho confirmed in the post-match interview of the 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich will indeed don the iconic jersey this season.
Rashford broke into the scene in 2015 and has been widely adored by United supporters as the future generation of the club. He has improved in build and physique and should offer more challenge to centre-backs. His speed and shot ability will be a threat to Leicester City defenders.
Will this finally be his breakout season? We shall wait and see.
