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Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could bench four players for Leeds Premier League clash
Manchester United tackle Leeds United in their Premier League opener on Saturday.
Man Utd: The first six fixtures of the new Premier League season
Manchester United face off against Leeds United in their Premier League opener at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have had a mixed pre-season but will be aiming to get their campaign off to a positive start. So Express Sport will now take a look at four players who may be benched for the match.
Raphael Varane
United are set to officially confirm the arrival of Raphael Varane imminently.
The France international has passed his medical with the Red Devils and his shirt number won’t be No 4, with Phil Jones retaining that jersey.
And while United would love to play Varane right from the start against Leeds, it seems likelier he’ll be on the bench instead.
He’s not played since France exited Euro 2020 to Switzerland in June and will need some time to adjust to getting back on the field.
United will also want to ease Varane into life in the Premier League, with the player never playing in the top flight before.
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Paul Pogba
United have only just welcomed Paul Pogba back into the fold.
The France international took to the field in the recent 4-0 win over Everton but, despite that, could still find himself amongst the substitutes for the match against Leeds.
Pogba returned to training later than others and Donny van de Beek could be the player to benefit from any potential absence.
The Netherlands international has spent the summer bulking up.
And United are primed to trust the 24-year-old more, having started him just four times in the Premier League last term.
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Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic has been another ever-present for United during pre-season.
But we’re expected Scott McTominay to get the nod in the holding midfield position, with the Serbia international poised to be phased out.
United have great hopes for the Scotland international, who has become a regular under Solskjaer throughout his time at the club.
And it’s feasible he’ll be deployed behind Bruno Fernandes and Van de Beek against Leeds.
That would allow the two creators to focus on the more attacking side of their game, rather than having to take care of the defensive duties.
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Tom Heaton
With Dean Henderson still struggling after having coronavirus, the England star may be omitted from the squad.
David De Gea should then get the nod in goal, with the Spain international eager to prove his critics wrong this season.
And that means Heaton could be on the bench.
The veteran recently returned to Old Trafford on a free transfer from Aston Villa, 11 years after he departed for Cardiff.
And after impressing at times during pre-season, Heaton could find himself involved in the opening fixture of the new campaign.
Manchester United: The first five fixtures of the 2021/2022 campaign
August 14 - Leeds United - Old Trafford
August 22 - Southampton - St Mary’s Stadium
August 29 - Wolves - Molineux
September 11 - Newcastle United - Old Trafford
September 18 - West Ham United - London Stadium.