Manchester United take on rivals Leeds at Dublin's Croke Park this evening as they move a step closer to the new Premier League season. With just two matches remaining before the opener at Hull City on August 22, Michael Carrick is likely to give first-team players as many minutes as possible.
Team news and predicted changes
Senne Lammens looks to have recovered from illness that kept him out of the clash with Paris Saint-Germain and should return for his first start of the summer. Noussair Mazraoui started against PSG but may be swapped out to allow Diogo Dalot more minutes. Ayden Heaven struggled on Saturday so bringing Leny Yoro in to partner Harry Maguire could be a wise call.
In midfield, Andrey Santos and Mason Mount have struck up a good partnership this summer. However, Mount was replaced midway through the first half in Gothenburg, making him a doubt for this game. The former Chelsea man and Carrick insisted the decision was precautionary, but it would not hurt to start Youri Tielemans for the first time with Santos.
Attack and returning stars
Captain Bruno Fernandes played his first minutes at the weekend and should start at No.10 in place of Shea Lacey. This should not be the end for Lacey though and it is expected he will feature more prominently for the first-team this season.
Marcus Rashford is among the returnees to the United squad in Dublin. His future remains in doubt but he has been reintegrated into the group this week. That being said, he is unlikely to start. The same can also be said for Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez who also returned from the World Cup recently.
Amad did well on the right flank on Saturday and should have done enough to keep his spot. On the left, Carrick could stick with Patrick Dorgu as he continues to learn the position. Equally, Matheus Cunha could start if, like Lammens, he has overcome his illness from the weekend.
Striker dilemma
Up front, Carrick would love to start Benjamin Sesko. However, he has not featured since the victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford last season.
Bryan Mbeumo has been one of the standout players of pre-season for United and starting him as the centre-forward seems a no-brainer, at least until Sesko is 100 per cent again.
United predicted XI vs Leeds: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Santos, Tielemans; Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo
