Erik ten Hag has already learned a lot in his first pre-season as Manchester United manager.
From just how bonkers big the club is on the other side of the world to how difficult it is to sign players who don't want to leave Barcelona, the Dutch tactician continues to grow into arguably football's most scrutinised job. With three wins from three friendlies, in which the Red Devils have scored 11 goals and conceded just two, Ten Hag seems pleased with his team's early signs.
In United's comfortable 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Tuesday, the ex- Ajax boss gave the vast majority of his starting XI 66 minutes instead of the usual 45 they'd been afforded in their two previous outings. With the change of tact, Ten Hag hinted that he's close to finalising his selection ahead of their Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, August 7.
However, there're still plenty of spots up for grabs and with that in mind, Mirror Football will run over the positions not yet sealed.
Locked in
To get started, let's take a look at who's almost certain to start in less than three weeks' time. David de Gea has the No.1 jersey firmly in his grasp, while Diogo Dalot has ousted Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the right-back berth. Limited but reliable duo Fred and Scott McTominay have largely held down the midfield, with Bruno Fernandes ahead of them at and the in-form Jadon Sancho on the right.
Centre-back
As one of the most integral parts of any football team, the fact Ten Hag hasn't been able to nail down his starting centre-backs is a concern. Harry Maguire wasn't fit to feature in the opening 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool, but then Raphael Varane suffered an injury in training has been sidelined for the Red Devils' past two outings.
Victor Lindelof has been only constant, with Eric Bailly playing the first pair of second halves until the Palace win - when left-back Alex Tells slotted in. Not only are those five in flux, but new signing Lisandro Martinez has cost the club £55million and will meet his new teammates in Manchester. Left-footed and trusted by Ten Hag, his arrival only makes the heart of the rearguard more unclear.
Maguire has certainly been challenged by his gaffer to show why he deserves to start, even after being confirmed as United's captain for 2022-23. "Harry has proved it in the past, but he has also to prove it in the present and in the future," Ten Hag explained. "I will support him everywhere I can. In the end, he has to do it by himself, and he has the qualities to do it. He's shown it so often in the past. He's played 60 times for England. Harry is really impressive and I expect a lot from him.
"But there is also internal competition and that is what a club like United needs. You cannot win with 11 players. We need a squad, especially this season with so many games. We have the Europa League, the Premier League and the World Cup, so we need a full squad with high-quality players not quantity."
Left-back
Across from the centre of the back line, it seems like a straight shootout between Luke Shaw and another new signing, Tyrell Malacia, for the left-back slot. Shaw had started the Red Devils' first two games, but Malacia replaced him on Tuesday and put in another promising performance.
If Shaw can rekindle the form that he showed so spectacularly during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign, there'll be no contest. But if Malacia can continue making a good impression before pre-season wraps up, the former Feyenoord defender could well force his way into Ten Hag's XI.
Left wing
Ahead of either Malacia or Shaw will likely be Marcus Rashford, Anthony Elanga or Christian Eriksen. Due to Eriksen not signing in time to join the squad in Australia, the Dane is training at Carrington keeping his fitness up and eyeing a place in the side. Able to play on the left flank, despite his lack of pace, Eriksen is an option for Ten Hag, but it's Rashford and Elanga who have the opportunities to immediately impress.
Each have been handed starts while the other watches from the bench, but it's Rashford who's been on the scoresheet, netting against Melbourne Victory and Palace. On the other hand, Elanga seems a more willing runner and, tactically, may be Ten Hag's preferred pick to help lead the all-important press.
Striker
United's standout of pre-season so far, Anthony Martial is helping fans forget about Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer request. The Frenchman has shown his clinical nature by bagging a goal in every match so far and is smoothly taking to the task of being the Red Devils' only recognised striker.
Still, he'll have an even bigger challenge if Ronaldo stays, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's ability to score goals on the very biggest stage remaining unquestionable and dwarfing Martial's exploits down under. Ten Hag, though, has confidence in the 26-year-old, who was shipped out on loan to Sevilla in the second half of last term and found the back of the net just once.
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"I'm sure he can come back even better," the former Utrecht manager recently declared. "I think when he has the right focus and the right motivation and he works hard he will have production because he is a good player. I say when he has the right focus and every day delivers his max then he will have production and it's up to him."
United legend Bryan Robson agrees with the new boss' assessment, telling MUTV : "He's been in good form, he looks nice and sharp in training.... so his confidence should be coming back, and I feel like he could have a part to play.
"You can't look at last season because he lost his confidence. But the season before, he was in good form. He can be a good option with Cristiano. He could have a part to play as long as he keeps his head on and is determined in his performances."
