Manchester United travel to face Bournemouth in their opening fixture of the Premier League season in what is Jose Mourinho’s return to management after his sacking at Chelsea last year. The former Chelsea manager has spent heavily this summer, bringing in the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Eric Bailly. The Portuguese has made it clear that he will return United to its lethal best after 3 consecutive below-par seasons following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson. The fans are hugely excited for next season and with a host of superstars in their team, one wouldn’t blame them for even having title ambitions.
The fact that United will not be in the Champions League gives them a chance to focus completely on the domestic campaign. Bournemouth, on the other hand, will be looking to solidify their position in the Premier League, after an impressive last season under Eddie Howe. The pressure will be on Mourinho to perform, given the huge investments he has made, especially with the knowledge that United have been on a sacking spree for the last three years. Here is the predicted Manchester United line up that Mourinho might opt for on Sunday.
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
After the transfer debacle of last season, De Gea seems to have settled down at Old Trafford for now. The three-time United player of the season will again be vital to United’s performance next season. He is guaranteed starter when fit with Romero as the back-up.
Defenders: Blind, Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia
With Chris Smalling suspended for the first match, it will most likely be summer signing Bailly and Blind in the middle. The big Ivorian has done superbly well this summer and even won the man of the match award for his solid performance against Leicester City in the community shield. Luke Shaw will slot in at left-back, the English international missed the majority of last season following a horrible double leg break last season. Valencia has been very consistent in the summer and should keep his place on the right.
Midfielders: Micheal Carrick, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial, Mkhitaryan and Marouane Fellaini
Mourinho has a plethora of options in midfield following the arrival of Pogba and Mkhitaryan. The Frenchman however, might not be ready to start on Sunday, therefore it will Carrick in central midfield screening the back four alongside Fellaini, whose confidence will have taken a hit after a howler against Leicester City. In the front of the duo will be Wayne Rooney in the number 10 role, with summer signing Mkhitaryan on the right wing and Martial on the left.
Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic has already shown what he can do following his late winner in the Community Shield. The former PSG striker will be the focal point of the team, now that Rooney has moved into the midfield.