Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, could be without up to nine senior players for their Premier League opener against Leeds United on Saturday, UK Mirror reports.
The Red Devils are looking to mount a serious challenge for the 2021/2022 season, after finishing in second place behind Manchester City last term.
Solskjaer has beefed up his squad with the addition of £73m man Jadon Sancho, while a move for former Real Madrid defender, Raphael Varane, is almost complete.
However, against Marcelo Bielsa’s men at Old Trafford, Solskjaer might not be able to call on certain squad members.
Goalkeeper Tom Heaton has rejoined the club 11 years after he first left, but the 35-year-old is unlikely to dislodge David de Gea or Dean Henderson between the sticks.
Eric Bailly is already down the pecking order in terms of central defenders, with Solskjaer preferring Victor Lindelof to partner captain Harry Maguire. With the arrival of Varane, Bailly can expect the first-team action even harder to come by.
Alex Telles misses out on the Leeds clash with injury but has already been touted with a move away from Old Trafford just one year in.
Phil Jones hasn’t featured in 18 months, with his last United appearance coming in January 2020 and the club is looking to move him on.
Juan Mata is not currently carrying any kind of injury but is expected to miss out on the opening game due to the sheer size of United’s squad.
Jesse Lingard has tested positive for COVID-19 and missed the final pre-season clash against Everton to go into isolation.
Andreas Pereira spent last season on loan in Serie A with Lazio but has called on boss Solskjaer to get the best out of him if he is to stay at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford is ruled out of action until October after shoulder surgery.
Edinson Cavani will miss Saturday’s clash with Leeds, as Solskjaer has rewarded him with an extended break over the summer.
Man Utd’s likely 20-man matchday squad: David de Gea, Dean Henderson, Aaron Wan Bissaka, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Brandon Williams, Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic, Fred, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Dan James, Amad, Donny van de Beek, Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial
