by Manchester United’s 2024/25 Premier League campaign kicks off in three weeks’ time. Despite the double signing of Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, there are still moving parts to be settled.
United are expected to complete a number of deals over the coming weeks, ahead of the first game of the season against Fulham, with more to follow before the window closes. New sporting director Dan Ashworth has made a fast start at the club but still faces some tough decisions.
Zirkzee will join up with his new team-mates later in the summer and Yoro, signed from Lille in a deal worth £52m, has already made his first appearance for the club. A new midfielder, right back and another addition to the heart of the defense are likely to improve.
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Here, Sportsman He looks at what Ten Hag’s 25-man Premier League squad could look like when United host Fulham at Old Trafford on August 16.
The Premier League squad selection rules are set out for all 20 teams. Under-21 players (born on or after January 1, 2003) do not need to be registered in the squad and can be used freely. There are no quotas for indigenous players, as in European competitions, but there is a limit on non-indigenous players.
Premier League teams can name 17 non-native players in the squad. This rule does not apply to non-England players only, to individuals who have been at a Football Association affiliated club for three seasons prior to their 21st birthday.
Goalkeeper: Onana, Bayindir, Heaton
He is the only position that will not undergo any changes this summer. Andre Onana showed signs of settling in at Old Trafford towards the end of his first season and will be hoping to capitalize on the lack of pressure on his performances as he did 12 months ago.
Turkey’s international Altay Bayindir is the second natural choice. He made just one appearance last season but United’s participation in the Europa League could see him get more minutes. Tom Heaton’s contract extension this summer fills the third spot.
Defendants: Martinez, Yoro, Dalot, Shaw, Silva, Maguire, Dumfries, Mitchell, Evans
Despite the signing of Yoro, United remain in the market for a new defender. In fact, at best, three more new faces will be added to the Ten Hag defense.
With Raphael Varane gone and Victor Lindelof on the transfer list, the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Matthijs de Ligt have been linked. Recently, however, Benfica’s Antonio Silva has resurfaced with reports suggesting United are looking to lower the 20-year-old’s £84.3m release clause this summer.
Harry Maguire was thought to be one player who could leave the club but the defender’s recent words would suggest that he is staying put. With Lisandro Martiez, Yoro and Jonny Evans, that would leave Ten Hag with five options.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is entering the final 12 months of his contract at United, meaning there is pressure to sell him this summer. It is reported that he prefers a move to Inter Milan, a move that could add speed and power to Denzel Dumfries in defence.
On the left back, it’s not so clear. Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia remain at the club but their injury records have left Ten Hag without a natural candidate for the role. Marcos Alonso and David Hancko have all been identified as targets, as has Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell, who has spent a fortune at Selhurst Park in recent times.
Aged just 24, Mitchell has been a mainstay in Palace’s defense for the past four seasons and unlike United’s current options, has a decent track record with injuries.
Midfielders: Mount, Fernandes, Mainoo, McTominay, Ugarte, Eriksen, Casemiro
United’s midfield is an area that divides opinion. For many, it takes a hard-working ball winner with bags of energy to take them to the next level. For others, it’s the way Ten Hag plays with them that leaves acres of space in front of the defense.
Casemiro, like many United players, appeared to be headed for the exit door this season after a difficult end to last term. However, interest from elsewhere seems to have leveled off and the Brazilian is currently part of the squad in the USA. After the end of Sofyan Amrabat’s loan the Red Devils have even more reason to sign a replacement.
Manuel Ugarte is first choice but Paris Saint-Germain’s tough stance has delayed a quick move. Joao Neves has been a long-term target for United but is close to joining PSG, meaning the floodgates could finally open for Ugarte.
Scott McTominay now has a central role under Ten Hag following the latest words from the Netherlands regarding the Scotland international. A fully fit Mason Mount will almost feel like a new signing and Bruno Fernandes, despite claims of a wild exit from Old Trafford, remains club captain.
Attacks: Hojlund, Zirkzee, Rashford, Garnacho, Antony, Amad.
The signing of Zirkzee meant that United’s attacking problems have already been solved. With the arrival of the Dutch, Ten Hag have two strong options in the center, something they haven’t had in a while.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Amad and Antony are players this season. Ten Hag’s 4-3-3 formation means there is only room for two and healthy competition only gives confidence.
Jadon Sancho is the way out, though. Despite returning to United training under Ten Hag, there seems to be a strange aura about the situation. There have been no social media posts since his return, all previous posts have been deleted and he has not acknowledged United in his social media bios.
In total, this United squad uses up to 20 of the 25 available with Hojlund, Mainoo, Garnacho, Yoro and Silva all under-21s. If Malacia and Sancho had stayed at the club, they would still have three points left.
