Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos Set for Manchester United Debuts
Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos are poised to step properly into Manchester United life this weekend, with both expected to make their competitive debuts against Hull City.
Santos, the £50million summer arrival from Chelsea, has already felt like part of the furniture. He featured in all six of United’s pre-season friendlies, rarely missing a beat, and that level of involvement points strongly towards a starting role in Carrick’s midfield on Saturday afternoon.
Tielemans’ route has been different, but no less significant. The Belgian only joined up late after a mandatory three-week break following the World Cup, where he helped Belgium reach the quarter-finals. Any concerns over fitness eased when he got 90 full minutes under his belt in the final friendly against AC Milan. He looks ready.
Midfield Setup
Carrick, preparing for his first full campaign as permanent head coach, may not overthink it. The midfield that started the 4-2 defeat to Milan in Poland — Santos, Tielemans and captain Bruno Fernandes — could be rolled out again, with Fernandes restored to his preferred No10 role, pulling strings higher up the pitch.
Defensive Choices
At the back, the picture is less settled. Lisandro Martinez’s lack of match sharpness leaves Carrick with a call to make. That opens the door for youngster Ayden Heaven, who is pushing to get the nod over Leny Yoro to partner Harry Maguire. For Maguire, it would mean another meeting with one of his former clubs, this time as the senior figure in the heart of the defence.
Goalkeeping and Full-Back Positions
Some positions pick themselves. Senne Lammens is set to start in goal, Luke Shaw should lock down the left-back slot. The right side is a straight fight: Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui. Both have had their moments in pre-season; now Carrick must decide who he trusts when the points are on the line.
Attacking Options
Higher up the pitch, Patrick Dorgu has rewritten his own story. Either side of a cruel injury suffered in January against Arsenal, he has been reshaped into a left-winger, and an effective one. That resurgence has created a real selection headache, because Matheus Cunha does his best work drifting in from that same flank.
The knock-on effect runs through the front line. Benjamin Sesko is not yet ready to start after a three-month lay-off, so Cunha is likely to be pushed inside again to lead the line as a central striker. That switch would send Bryan Mbeumo back out to the right, restoring the balance of an attack that suddenly has options — and some big decisions — before a ball has even been kicked in anger.
