Predicting a manager's team is always a precarious task, but there were a few clues in training today of how Manchester United might line-up in Erik ten Hag's first game in charge.
Ten Hag split his United squad into two groups, focusing more on one than the other, which suggested that group will form the basis of his team to face Liverpool in Bangkok on Tuesday.
With Harry Maguire injured and restricted to light running and stretching, fellow defender Raphael Varane and midfield duo Scott McTominay and James Garner also absent and Cristiano Ronaldo not on tour, United's line-up and formation could be different as they begin the ten Hag era.
Defence
In the training session at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium, ten Hag oversaw a game of attack versus defence, with David De Gea in goal and Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw in the full-back roles. With Maguire and Varane both absent, Ten Hag is likely to go with Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly in central defence, and is likely to change his entire line-up at half-time to manage his players' minutes and give as many players as possible game-time.
Midfield
An area of the pitch where United are considerably light, given the summer exits of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic, ten Hag has few options in the middle. That is why he is pursuing a deal for Frenkie De Jong, with United close to completing a deal to sign free agent Christian Eriksen. In the training game, Ten Hag operated with a three-man midfield of Donny van de Beek, Fred and Bruno Fernandes, which could be the same trio that started against Liverpool.
Attack
Ten Hag has more options in attack, despite Ronaldo's absence from the tour, with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho all filling the attacking roles in the training game before the session finished. They are likely to be replaced at half-time, with Anthony Elanga, Tahith Chong and Alejandro Garnacho all getting game-time after the break.
Predicted Man Utd starting line-up vs Liverpool: David de Gea, Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw, Donny van de Beek, Fred, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial.
