Manchester United face off against Spanish side Real Betis in their second mid-season friendly on Saturday, with the players not away on international duty once again getting their chance to impress Erik ten Hag.
The Reds began their warm-weather training camp last week and played their first game against Cadiz CF on Wednesday evening. Despite starting with a strong side, United fell to a 4-2 defeat to the LaLiga strugglers.
Anthony Martial and Kobbie Mainoo were on the scoresheet in the first period, but with Ten Hag making 10 outfield changes at half-time, the youth-packed second-half side weren't able to impact the game as desired. The Reds will be desperate to get back to winning ways against Betis, but will still be keen to get minutes in the tank for first-team players.
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United selected a 29-man squad for the trip to Spain, and Ten Hag is once again expected to name a strong starting line-up for the game on Saturday. Martin Dubravka started against Cadiz in midweek and was left on for the entire game, but first-choice goalkeeper David de Gea is expected to start against Betis. The Spaniard has started all but one game for the Reds so far this season and will be desperate for the season to resume.
A number of United's defenders are still away at the World Cup in Qatar, with Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw all absent. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who largely looked off the pace against the Spanish side, is likely to start at right-back again, while Brandon Williams should continue at left-back. Both Victor Lindelof and Teden Mengi struggled on Wednesday, but are expected to start at the heart of defence.
In midfield, the Reds are missing a number of first-team stars. Donny van de Beek had his chance to shine against Cadiz, but the Dutchman was neither here nor there again. In contrast, Zidane Iqbal linked up well and earned the penalty that Martial converted in the first period. Scott McTominay was also somewhat underwhelming, but is likely to start at the base of midfield alongside Iqbal, with Van de Beek expected to be given another opportunity.
Ten Hag has a number of attacking options at his disposal, despite being without the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Antony. The Dutchman could opt to start with Anthony Elanga, Martial and Alejandro Garnacho once again but he could also decide to give Shola Shoretire a chance. While Elanga was poor in midweek, Garnacho and Martial looked bright. Both should be part of the side that takes on Burnley in the Carabao Cup on December 21.
United predicted line-up vs Real Betis: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Mengi, Williams; McTominay, Iqbal, Van de Beek; Shoretire, Martial, Garnacho.
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