Erik ten Hag has a squad of 29 Manchester United players to choose from when selecting his starting XI against Cadiz on Wednesday.
Despite the Red Devils having 13 current first-team players at the World Cup, they still named a group containing several senior players for the mid-season trip to Spain. However, the squad has been supplemented with members of the Under-21 side, many of whom are yet to play for the first team.
United face Cadiz on Wednesday before their attention turns to the clash with Real Betis on Saturday, as the club’s preparations for the second half of the 2022/23 campaign begins to take shape.
United last played on 13 November when they beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage, and face Burnley on 21 December in their next competitive game, a clash that pits the Red Devils against Vincent Kompany’s Clartes in the Carabao Cup. After that, it’s Premier League encounters with Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth.
Therefore, providing game time for the senior players is expected to be the priority for Ten Hag in Spain, much as it was during the pre-season fixture. The Dutchman is likely to hand the established first-team stars plenty of minutes during the double header in Spain.
Of the group which travelled overseas, David de Gea, Victor Lindelof and Scott McTominay have played the most minutes this season for the club, and will probably start against Cadiz. But the plethora of stars in Qatar means selecting fringe members of the squad is unavoidable. Here’s how we think the Red Devils will line up…
United face Cadiz on Wednesday before their attention turns to the clash with Real Betis on Saturday, as the club’s preparations for the second half of the 2022/23 campaign begins to take shape.
5. Brandon Williams
Another defender who has dealt with injury issues this term, but is available for Ten Hag. Williams is likely to play on the left with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia at the World Cup.
6. Scott McTominay
Didn’t get the game time he would have hoped for across October and November and will be looking to impress in Spain.
7. Zidane Iqbal
Despite being around the first team all season, the young midfielder is yet to play a single minute of competitive first-team football under Ten Hag.
8. Donny van de Beek
Returned from injury at the end of October but failed to impress in three consecutive starts. This feels like the last-chance saloon for the Dutchman’s United career.