On Monday night, the Theatre of Dreams will be hosting Gary O'Neil's debut with Wolverhampton Wanderers. They'll be playing against Manchester United, who are welcoming their opponents from the Midlands in the first week of the Premier League.
As the Red Devils prepare for their second season under the guidance of Erik ten Hag, their opponents are facing difficulties due to the departure of Julen Lopetegui, which was expected but perhaps came at an inconvenient time.
Team News: Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Harry Kane has decided to focus on excelling in German football by joining Bayern Munich, putting aside his goal of becoming the all-time top scorer in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Manchester United has chosen to take a chance on the young Danish talent Rasmus Hojlund. Unfortunately, Hojlund will have to wait for his debut due to a back injury.Several other players are also sidelined due to injuries, including Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), Dean Henderson (thigh), Anthony Martial (thigh), Tyrell Malacia (muscle), Thomas Heaton (calf), and Amad Diallo (knee). As a result, Marcus Rashford, who has been rejuvenated, is expected to lead the team's attack.
In the previous season, Rashford scored 20 goals at home across various tournaments, second only to the record-breaking Erling Braut Haaland (35) among all Premier League players. While Hojlund watches from the sidelines, Andre Onana and Mason Mount are likely to make their competitive debuts.
On the other hand, Wolverhampton Wanderers are relatively injury-free as they enter the first gameweek of the season. Matheus Cunha might still be a bit uncertain due to a minor injury, but Manager O'Neil is hopeful that he'll be fit to play at Old Trafford. Cunha is expected to lead the team's attack after the departures of Diego Costa and Raul Jimenez.
Sasa Kalajdzic and Fabio Silva are also competing to earn a place in O'Neil's favor early on. However, the departures of Nathan Collins, Ruben Neves, Adama Traore, Joao Moutinho, and Conor Coady have left some significant gaps in the Wolves' squad.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Mount; Rashford
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Sa; Semedo, Kilman, Dawson, Ait-Nouri; Nunes, Lemina, Gomes; Sarabia, Cunha, Podence