Manchester United will begin their 2023-23 campaign at Old Trafford as they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 14th, 20:00 BST. United are coming off a third-place finish in Erik ten Hag’s first season at the club, while for Wolves, there’s big concern they could go down after recent events at the club. The Top Flight provides our Manchester United predicted lineup for the fixture.
After the departure of David De Gea, Manchester United will have a new starting keeper for the first time in 12 seasons. Andre Onana has arrived at the club, and he will be getting the start against Wolves.
Right-back might be the hardest position to pick for Manchester regarding who will start. Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka both split their time last season pretty evenly as starters. It feels like this one could go either way, but pre-season suggests that Wan-Bissaka likely has the upper hand for the time being. Luke Shaw starts as the only healthy senior left-back available.
The centre-back pairing will be Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane. Harry Maguire is set to join West Ham United, and Victor Lindelof is not seen as a threat to Martinez’s position at all.
The middle of the park will contain both Casemiro and Mason Mount, with the latter playing a bit higher up the pitch than the other. Typically deployed as an attacking midfielder, Mount will likely be used as a central midfielder under Erik ten Hag.
The wingers will be a bit harder to predict. Wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho started just five Premier League matches last season. Could he now be seen as a bonafide starter? It’s hard to say whether or not he will be favoured over Jadon Sancho, but a start against Wolves feels realistic for Garnacho. Out on the right wing will be Antony, and newly appointed captain Bruno Fernandes will start as the attacking midfielder. Given Rasmus Hojlund is dealing with a knock and has yet to train with United, Rashford will shift back up top as a striker.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Martinez, Varane, Shaw, Casemiro, Mount, Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho, Rashford