English Premier League
How Red Devils Could Line Up Under Erik Ten Hag

Manchester United has been nothing in need of a damaged membership since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. After 4 failed managerial stints since, is Erik ten Hag the reply?
We’re looking at how Manchester United may probably line-up to begin the 2022/23 season. With main funding from the house owners wanted to prop the membership again to the place they belong, followers ought to count on an array of modifications forward of the primary Premier League fixture in opposition to Brighton.
Goalkeeper:
Present rotation – David de Gea, Dean Henderson, Tom Heaton
It seems all however sure that Spaniard David de Gea will start the 2022/23 season between the sticks for Manchester United, with Dean Henderson inches away from finishing a season-long mortgage deal to Nottingham Forest.
The Purple Devils are reportedly serious about bringing Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann to Outdated Trafford rather than Henderson, who performed second fiddle to Ben Foster for almost all of the marketing campaign because the Hornets had been relegated to the Championship.
Regardless of common issues from the fanbase over de Gea’s consistency and sporadic determination making, the veteran seems to be getting ready for his eleventh season as primary at Manchester United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer started to rotate de Gea and Henderson in direction of the top of the 2020/21 season, however finally settled with the Spaniard and interim boss Ralf Rangnick additionally opted with the 31-year-old.
Proper Again:
Present rotation – Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Diogo Dalot, Brandon Williams
Manchester United are reportedly keen to take heed to presents for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who they paid simply in need of £50m for 3 seasons in the past from Crystal Palace.
If Wan-Bissaka was to depart, this would depart United’s rotation at right-back with simply Diogo Dalot and Brandon Williams (who’s arguably extra comfy at left-back).
Williams’ future at Outdated Trafford can also be up within the air, as he seeks common recreation time which is one thing ten Hag won’t be able to ensure the 21-year-old who spent final season on mortgage at relegated aspect Norwich Metropolis.
Diogo Dalot began 19 instances for United within the Premier League final season and supplied a recent, attacking outlook to the right-hand aspect which Wan-Bissaka lacked.
The Portuguese defender adopts a contemporary type in comparison with a standard right-back, emulating the likes of Chelsea’s Reece James and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold – nearly taking part in as a right-winger at instances.
Except we see a drastic change in United’s summer time window plans, Dalot seems like the plain beginning selection for Erik ten Hag at right-back subsequent season.
Centre Again:
Present rotation – Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Axel Tuanzebe, Teden Mengi
Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane are set to line-up as centre again companions for the second season in a row, regardless of this being a regarding weak point in United’s aspect which noticed a staggering 57 Premier League targets conceded within the final marketing campaign.
29-year-old Varane struggled with damage all through a lot of the season and began simply 20 of his aspect’s 38 Premier League outings, with Victor Lindelof paired alongside Maguire in his absence.
Harry Maguire has been of probably the most scrutinised transfers in latest historical past following his £80m transfer from Leicester Metropolis in 2019 which has been nothing in need of underwhelming, regardless of earlier supervisor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handing Maguire the captain’s armband simply months into his United profession.
21-year-old Ajax defender Jurrien Timber was linked with a swap to Outdated Trafford earlier within the window however after experiences that Louis van Gaal advised Timber he couldn’t assure his spot within the Dutch nationwide workforce with out common taking part in time, the deal fell by.
United are ready to take heed to presents for Eric Bailly, Axel Tuanzebe, and Phil Jones this summer time which may go away the centre again rotation as skinny as Maguire, Varane, Lindelof and Teden Mengi.
Left Again:
Present rotation – Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Alvaro Fernandez
Luke Shaw is one other Manchester United defender who missed the vast majority of final season by damage, and began simply 19 Premier League video games in 2021/22.
Coming off the very best season of his profession in 2020/21, alongside a historic Euro 2020 marketing campaign with England, many tipped Shaw to cement his title alongside the very best left-backs in world soccer. Nonetheless, he appeared a shadow of that determine to start the 2021/22 season.
Shaw’s defensive consciousness has by no means been the strongest facet of his recreation, and he thrives when being allowed to roam free alongside the left-wing and become involved in link-up participant with a winger like Marcus Rashford or Jadon Sancho.
Alex Telles is one other participant who United will take heed to presents for this summer time, who joined from Porto earlier than the beginning of the 2020/21 season, however hasn’t achieved something notable apart from pushing Shaw to grow to be considered one of Europe’s most elite full-backs for a single season.
Alvaro Fernandez might need baggage of potential, however the 19-year-old is younger and vastly inexperienced. He’s not somebody United must be counting on as a direct backup to Shaw subsequent season so if Telles is offered, that is someplace that may want strengthening.
Central Midfield:
Present rotation – Andreas Pereira, Fred, Donny van de Beek, James Garner, Scott McTominay
Switch targets – Frenkie de Jong, Christian Eriksen
Frenkie de Jong is extensively often known as Manchester United’s primary switch goal this summer time. The 25-year-old has been closely linked with a transfer away from Barcelona this summer time and a reunion along with his former boss at Ajax, Erik ten Hag, is definitely on the playing cards.
Is de Jong the reply to all of United’s issues? After all not, however on the proper value this must be a no brainer for the membership. The Dutch worldwide provides an enormous quantity of expertise to United’s present midfield whereas nonetheless being simply 25 and will carry the inventive spark that Outdated Trafford so badly wishes.
Free agent Christian Eriksen can also be a goal for the Purple Devils, however remains to be contemplating whether or not a transfer to Manchester or returning to Brentford for an additional season could be the best choice for his profession. Judging by latest years, it wouldn’t be stunning to see Eriksen run it again in West London.
United’s present rotation is nowhere close to sturdy sufficient because it must be to compete for silverware. Andreas Pereira is near a transfer to newly promoted aspect Fulham, while James Garner is anticipated to hunt a transfer away if ten Hag can not assure the 21-year-old common taking part in time.
Garner loved two breakout seasons at Nottingham Forest on mortgage, and performed an enormous position in marking Forest’s return to England’s high flight for the primary time since 1999. The midfielder is beginning to blossom and discover his toes throughout the recreation, and the very last thing he needs for his profession on the stage is to show stale on the Outdated Trafford bench.
A expertise like Garner deserves assured taking part in time at a Premier League aspect week in, week out, however his future is but to be resolved and can grow to be clearer after Erik ten Hag makes his personal evaluation of the participant throughout United’s pre-season marketing campaign.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s notorious ‘chosen ones’ Scott McTominay and Fred can have their beginning spots threatened after over two years of inconsistency and mediocrity. While each are capable of play rotational position with occasional Premier League cameos, if Manchester United wish to return to the highest of English soccer, it received’t be executed with these two in midfield each week.
Donny van de Beek’s unsuccessful mortgage spell at Everton will see the Dutch midfielder return to Outdated Trafford this summer time with a chip on his shoulder, and so much to show. Like de Jong, van de Beek was additionally part of ten Hag’s Ajax aspect which made a historic run to the Champions League semi-final in 2019 earlier than bowing out to a last-gasp winner from Lucas Moura to ship Tottenham Hotspur by.
Critical upgrades are wanted in United’s midfield and with out vital funding on this place, the Purple Devils ought to put together for one more season outdoors the Premier League’s high 4.
Attacking Midfield:
Present rotation – Bruno Fernandes, Hannibal Mejbri
Bruno Fernandes is the one remaining pure quantity ten within the senior Manchester United squad following the departures of long-time membership servants Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard this summer time, whose contracts have each expired.
Fernandes’ begin to life at Outdated Trafford was explosive. After becoming a member of within the January window of the 2020/21 season, the Portuguese worldwide rapidly turned a fan favorite and led United to a 3rd place end within the Premier League that very same season.
The 27-year-old had a harder 2021/22 marketing campaign than he’d have hoped. Fernandes struggled to search out type for a lot of the season, however nonetheless supplied common vibrant sparks all through that proved he has all the flexibility on the earth.
Enjoying in-behind the striker appears to be the simplest place for United’s quantity 18, and count on Erik ten Hag to try to push Fernandes to grow to be simply as, if no more impactful than comparable gamers reminiscent of Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.
While 19-year-old Hannibal Mejbri has proven promise for United’s youth setup, he realistically shouldn’t be a direct backup to Fernandes at such an early stage in his profession with little or no expertise in senior soccer.
Proper Wing:
Present rotation – Anthony Elanga, Tahith Chong, Amad, Facundo Pellistri, Shola Shoretire
Switch targets – Antony
Anthony Elanga is the one viable choice for Manchester United at right-wing heading into the brand new Premier League marketing campaign this August.
Tahith Chong, Amad, Facundo Pellistri, and Shola Shoretire all have little or no expertise inside high-level soccer that’s required to achieve success at Outdated Trafford.
Swedish worldwide Elanga proved to be one of many brightest younger stars at United as he broke into the beginning line-up beneath Ralf Rangnick final season, in comparable style to the best way that Marcus Rashford broke by beneath Louis van Gaal.
Elanga bagged two targets and tallied two assists in 14 league begins for United final season, however his confidence and need was what caught a grip on supporters – with the uncooked, recent expertise proving to be one thing the squad was severely missing.
Ajax starlet Antony has been linked with a £60m transfer to Manchester this summer time, after the 22-year-old Brazilian scored eight targets and supplied 4 assists as his aspect lifted the Eredivise trophy for a thirty sixth time.
While the participant is open to a transfer, it’s but to be seen whether or not splashing £60m on a comparatively unproven winger could be sensible enterprise from the membership as an alternative of investing that money elsewhere able that requires extra pressing consideration reminiscent of right-back.
Left Wing:
Present rotation – Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho
The 2021/22 season was definitely one to overlook for Marcus Rashford, who spent a lot of the marketing campaign sitting on the bench. The 24-year-old began simply 13 Premier League video games, scoring 4 and aiding two.
Rashford appeared a shadow of the participant that we noticed only a season earlier than, main many to query whether or not he may search for a recent begin this summer time and depart his boyhood membership.
There is no such thing as a doubt that the expertise is there for Rashford, he simply wants to search out it once more and wishes assist doing so from his supervisor, coaches, and teammates. As soon as one of the crucial electrifying younger skills in world soccer, don’t write Marcus Rashford off but.
Jadon Sancho’s large cash transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United was a number of years within the making, however the 22-year-old hasn’t absolutely lived as much as expectations in his first season at Outdated Trafford which wasn’t stunning.
The 2021/22 season usually was a complete mess for United. Switching managers midway by and bringing in Ralf Rangnick, whose spell was extraordinarily underwhelming, was by no means going to do Sancho any favours in his first season on the membership.
There have been many vibrant spots from the winger all through, however these appeared to come back in small patches as an alternative of constant high quality. Nonetheless, consistency in his recreation and adapting to a brand new system within the Premier League is one thing that doesn’t occur in a single day.
Sancho deserves a beginning spot in Erik ten Hag’s line-up subsequent season, who started to search out his toes in Manchester following the Christmas interval and began to appear to be the participant that supporters had been anticipating to see.
Alejandro Garnacho is a large speaking level amongst the Manchester United fanbase, however is anticipated to endure not less than yet another season of youth soccer taking part in for the under-23 aspect earlier than making the everlasting swap to the primary workforce.
Striker:
Present rotation – Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Martial
Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Martial seems to be what Manchester United’s rotation at centre ahead will appear to be for the upcoming 2022/23 season.
At 37 years of age, Ronaldo nonetheless managed to search out the again of the online 20 instances within the Premier League on his eagerly anticipated return to Outdated Trafford, 12 years after departing to hitch Actual Madrid for a then-world report price of £80m.
Ronaldo, alongside Harry Maguire, was one of the crucial scrutinised gamers in United’s squad final season and was usually scapegoated for the aspect’s failures resulting from his title and stature.
Whispers have started to type a few potential swap to Chelsea, however the membership are adamant that Ronaldo shall be a Manchester United participant subsequent season and he isn’t on the market beneath any circumstance.
With the best way Ronaldo takes care of his physique and physique, there isn’t a motive why the Portuguese worldwide can not play on the highest degree for not less than one other three or 4 years. With the suitable service and setup, Ronaldo may very well be United’s greatest shot at a primary Premier League title in nearly ten years.
Anthony Martial will return to Outdated Trafford following a mortgage spell at Sevilla which proved to be largely ineffective, because the Frenchman spent most of his time in Spain on the sidelines with damage.
Martial, a former Golden Boy winner, has seen his profession take a number of steps again lately and there’s an expectation that he may search a transfer away from Manchester this summer time which would depart United shorthanded up entrance.
Potential 2022/23 Manchester United Line-Up:
It’s quiet on the switch entrance for Manchester United on the minute apart from rumblings of a possible transfer for Frenkie de Jong, however membership chief John Murtough should get to work as quickly as attainable to assist carry the membership again to the top of English soccer and the place they need to rightfully sit.