Manchester United face Arsenal in the Premier League this weekendplaceholder image
Manchester United face Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend | Manchester United via Getty Images
Man Utd begin their Premier League campaign against Arsenal this weekend.
Ruben Amorim wants to have a selection headache on his hands, and he faces one this weekend. Manchester United begin their Premier League campaign at home to Arsenal, and the calibre of opposition provides plenty of team selection conundrums.
Ahead of the new league season, it feels like a 'best' or 'strongest' line up has taken shape, though it is not necessarily the one you would pick to face one of the best teams in the division. If you wanted to select a starting line up with the most attacking threat, Amad would be the right wing-back, and Kobbie Mainoo would partner Bruno Fernandes in central midfield. Those both seem like risky decisions against a side as lethal as Arsenal.
Then you have the selection in goal. Andre Onana hopes to return from injury this weekend, but given that he has missed all of the pre-season friendlies, it might not be wise to start him. Then again, Altay Bayindir has done little to suggest he deserves a chance, and some fans would argue he should be behind Tom Heaton in the current goalkeeper pecking order.
Read More
Amorim also has a decision to make in defence. Leny Yoro shone in midfield and seems a certain starter, while Matthijs de Ligt is the long-term option in the central role of a back three. Lisandro Martinez will play at left centre-back when he is deemed match fit, though this weekend it will be a choice between Ayden Heaven and Luke Shaw.
You could even argue there is a fifth position up for grabs if Benjamin Sesko is not ready to start matches yet, though the way United approached their clash with Fiorentina last weekend suggests there is no way Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line instead. In that case, it seems more likely that either Mason Mount or Matheus Cunha would lead the line.
While there is an argument United should look to make a statement with an attacking display against Arsenal this weekend, there must also be a fear that playing too offensively could leave them open at the back and put them at risk of suffering a demoralising home defeat.
It means Amorim must execute a perfectly balanced approach, and perhaps he would be best playing a more defensive line up to begin with and then introducing some extra attacking talent from the bench to swing the match in their favoured if that is required. The likes of Sesko, Amad, Mainoo and Heaven might represent the bright future of the club, though Mount, Casemiro, Dalot and Shaw could provide the key to getting a positive result this weekend.
You can't win the league in the first few matches of the season, but you can lose the chance of winning it. That could be reflected in the team selection this weekend.
Continue Reading