Manchester United face their toughest challenge of the summer so far, on paper, this weekend in Stockholm, Sweden
Leny Yoro on the ball against Rosenborg as he filled in at right-back for Manchester United
Leny Yoro on the ball against Rosenborg as he filled in at right-back for Manchester United(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Manchester United make their return to the Strawberry Arena on Saturday to face Atletico Madrid in their third pre-season fixture of the summer. Last year, United faced Leeds at the Stockholm stadium in what turned out to be an underwhelming goalless draw.
Perhaps this year's position this year in United's summer calendar means fans will be treated to a more exciting contest. However, the lack of senior players available to both teams due to the World Cup, could alter the match's quality.
The Reds have been hit hard by the extended break afforded to their World Cup stars. This has been most noticeable at right-back. Both Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are absent from training after competing at the international tournament, meaning United have no recognised senior right-back currently at the club.
Jaydan Kamason has travelled with the squad for the opening two pre-season games but Michael Carrick has opted to start Leny Yoro at right-back instead. This has allowed Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven to start at centre-back, which is a fine pairing. However, things need to change this weekend.
Both Dalot and Mazraoui are set to stay at United this season, so the likelihood of Yoro being needed at right-back is small. Next season, the Frenchman is in line to start alongside either Maguire or Heaven at centre-back on the opening weekend at Hull City.
With Lisandro Martinez an injury concern and Matthijs de Ligt definitely out, Yoro is arguably first or second choice central defender ahead of the big kick off. As such, he needs to be starting matches at centre-back.
Getting him up to speed in the right-back role will not benefit the Reds long-term. United are well stocked in that position. Besides, this is a prime opportunity to be giving Kamason experience of playing senior football.
When he came on at half-time in Trondheim, the 19-year-old provided two assists as United put Rosenborg to the sword. That display should be enough to convince Carrick he can start alongside the first-team players in pre-season.
So far this summer, the United head coach has had almost two separate teams. The one that started against Wrexham and Rosenborg included just three youth team players combined - Jack Fletcher, Shea Lacey and Radek Vitek.
All three have senior first-team experience whether that be with United last season or, in Vitek's case, on loan at Bristol City. Based on that precedent, the chances of Kamason, who has yet to make a senior appearance in his career, starting against Atleti on Saturday are perhaps slim.
However, now is the time to bite the bullet not just for the teenager's development, but also for Yoro. Pre-season is ultimately about fitness, but it is also about getting players up to speed in positions they will be needed in by the time the Premier League returns.
With the new campaign a little over three weeks away, Carrick should be looking to play one of his starting centre-backs in his preferred position, to avoid any teething issues at Hull.