Man United head coach Ruben Amorim will be tempted to hand a first appearance to Bryan Mbeumo this weekend.
Manchester United will step up their pre-season preparations when they face West Ham United in their opening game of the pre-season tour in New Jersey this weekend.
The squad flew out to the United States on Tuesday and are now busy preparing for their second pre-season friendly of the summer. The tour of the US will see them play three matches, all against Premier League opposition in West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton.
New signing Bryan Mbeumo will be under the spotlight at the MetLife Stadium this weekend after finalising his move to United from Brentford on Monday. He has joined the club on a five-year contract in a deal that could be worth up to £71million.
Head coach Ruben Amorim has taken 32 players to the US. So what could the starting XI look like against the Hammers this weekend? Amorim’s squad features a blend of youth and experience, meaning he will have the opportunity to mix things up throughout the tour.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana is unlikely to feature because of a hamstring injury, meaning Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton will be eyeing a starting berth.
Heaton was introduced at half-time in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Leeds United in Stockholm and made a handful of important saves in the second half, the best of which denied Largie Ramazani. Bayindir, meanwhile, looked jittery every time the ball went into his 18-yard box.
After being introduced at the break for the second half at the Strawberry Arena, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven will be eyeing starts in New Jersey. They flanked Harry Maguire in the two wide centre-backs spots against Leeds.
Maguire did not travel with his teammates to the US on Tuesday for personal reasons but has confirmed he will meet up with the squad on Wednesday. Either Maguire or Matthijs de Ligt will start in the middle of the back three and the latter could be given the nod.
What Amorim will determine as Mbeumo’s best position in his 3-4-2-1 system remains to be seen. Arriving as a natural winger, he will be capable of operating at either right-wing or as the right-sided No.10.
If Amorim views Mbeumo as a player that will continue to operate out wide, he should start at right wing-back, offering the United supporters a first chance to catch a glimpse of the club’s latest recruit. Patrick Dorgu, who started on the bench against Leeds, will be eyeing his first start of pre-season.
Bruno Fernandes started in midfield against Leeds, partnering Casemiro, suggesting that will be his permanent position this season. Kobbie Mainoo was bright after coming on at half-time and will be itching to start against the Hammers.
If Mbeumo is deployed from the start on the flank, Amad is a logical starter as the right-sided No.10. He started at wing-back in Stockholm but was instructed to trade places with Collyer midway through the half.
Matheus Cunha is a likely starter in the other No.10 spot after storing 45 minutes under his belt last weekend. He will be hoping to bag another start and increase his minutes.
United are yet to solve their search for a striker, meaning Rasmus Hojlund and Chido Obi are competing for the No.9 spot. The former will be hoping to start and play alongside Cunha for the first time.
United’s strongest XI vs West Ham: Heaton; Yoro, De Ligt, Heaven; Mbeumo, Mainoo, Fernandes, Dorgu; Amad, Cunha; Hojlund.