Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos are expected to make their competitive Manchester United debuts against Hull City this weekend.
Santos, a £50million summer signing from Chelsea, has been a regular feature for Man United in pre-season, taking part in all six friendlies which suggests he will start in midfield on Saturday afternoon.
Tielemans, meanwhile, was a late arrival after being granted a mandatory three-week post-World Cup holiday where he helped Belgium reach the quarter-finals but should be up to speed after completing 90 minutes against AC Milan in the final friendly.
As Michael Carrick prepares for a first full season as permanent Man Utd head coach, he could name the same midfield trio that started the 4-2 loss to Milan in Poland, with captain Bruno Fernandes in his favoured No10 role.
There are decisions to make in defence as Lisandro Martinez’s lack of match sharpness could see youngster Ayden Heaven get the nod over Leny Yoro to partner Harry Maguire against one of his former clubs.
Senne Lammens and Luke Shaw are set to start in goal and at left-back respectively, but it is between Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui for the right-back spot.
Patrick Dorgu, either side of a cruel injury blow suffered in January against Arsenal, has been transformed as a left-winger, creating a selection dilemma for Carrick as Matheus Cunha does his best work from that position.
However, with Benjamin Sesko not ready to feature from the start after a three-month lay-off, the Brazilian can deputise as a central striker once again, meaning Bryan Mbeumo moves back out to the right-hand side of the attack.
Mason Mount is “touch and go” to be ready for Hull, but Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte and Tom Heaton are sidelined.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Tielemans, Santos; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Dorgu; Cunha
Injured: De Ligt, Ugarte, Heaton
Doubts: Mount, Darlow, Sesko
Time and date: 12.30pm BST on Saturday, August 22, 2026
How to watch: TNT Sports
Venue: MKM Stadium
