Man United are in Norway today as they prepare to take on Rosenborg in their second pre-season fixture.
Manchester United face Rosenborg this afternoon in their second pre-season fixture
Manchester United face Rosenborg today in their second pre-season fixture(Image: Getty Images/Pick the Team)
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Manchester United are preparing for their second pre-season fixture of the summer against Rosenborg in Trondheim, Norway. Exciting academy star JJ Gabriel could make his maiden appearance for the first team today after being included in the travelling squad.
Gabriel would have been in contention to face Wrexham last week but his late return to training scuppered those plans. Young striker Ethan Wheatley misses out on this travelling squad to make room for Gabriel. Otherwise, it is an identical 25-man squad that lost in Helsinki.
Karl Darlow continues his recovery at Carrington. Meanwhile, Benjamin Sesko's shin injury means he misses out on this trip again. Take a look at how our United writers think the Reds should line up:
Tyrone Marshall
Carrick showed his hand last week by picking a strong team in the first half and then ringing the changes after the break. I'd keep the pattern reasonably similar this half, with a couple of changes.
One of them is moving Yoro to centre-back alongside Maguire. There has to be a chance that this is the partnership that begins the Premier League season, so let's see them together now.
I would also bring Tyler Fletcher in to play alongside Andrey Santos, with Mason Mount as the No.10, and would hand Joshua Zirkzee a chance through the middle.
Steven Railston
I'd largely pick the same team that started against Wrexham last weekend, but would make a handful of changes. The first would be bringing Vitek into the XI at the expense of Heaton, who can play in the second half when wholesale changes are made.
Tyler Fletcher should swap roles with his brother, Jack, who started in Finland. He is the more likely of the pair to stay with the first-team squad in the new campaign, so it makes sense for him to start.
Playing Zirkzee up front is fine in the first two pre-season games, which are essentially fitness exercises, but it will be concerning if he's the only fit forward on the eve of the new campaign. Carrick should give Gabriel minutes in the second half.
Jack Flintham
I would like to see Carrick mix youth and experience in the starting XI today. Jacob Devaney was singled out for praise after playing in an unfamiliar position against Wrexham. Hopefully that performance allows him the opportunity to impress in midfield.
Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro should be the centre-back partnership at Hull so it is worth pairing them together in defence. This would also allow Jaydan Kamason a start at right-back, rather than playing Yoro out of position.
In the forward line, why not take a gamble on Gabriel? The 15-year-old was so impressive for the academy last season and deserves a chance alongside the senior professionals. There is also little point sticking with the Zirkzee experiment, hence why Chido Obi gets the nod for me.