Manchester United begin their pre-season preparations in the early hours of Saturday morning when they face Club America in the International Champions Cup in Seattle.
New signings Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis Depay and Matteo Darmian could all make their debuts for the Red Devils.
United fans across the pond will be hoping to see Netherlands winger Depay get off the mark for the club.
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This solo effort is one of the pick of Depay’s 25 goals for PSV Eindhoven last season.
Victor Valdes is not available after being left behind and put on the transfer list (Sky Sports) by Louis van Gaal for allegedly refusing to play for United’s Under-21s.
Valdes took to Twitter to refute the claims but there is now even greater uncertainty about United’s goalkeeping ranks as speculation continues to link David de Gea to Real Madrid (The Telegraph).
The PFA Player of the Year runner-up has travelled with his teammates to the United States and Van Gaal may select the Spaniard for this friendly to further demonstrate United’s intent to keep him.
Mexican champions Club America scored in nine games in a row at the end of their league campaign, but they will do well to beat De Gea if he is in the same form as he was throughout last season.
Right-back Rafael da Silva has also stayed at home with Angel Di Maria and injured striker Javier Hernandez, who suffered a broken collarbone while on international duty with Mexico.
With Robin van Persie having departed for Fenerbahce, as the Daily Express reports, captain Wayne Rooney is the only senior striker in the United touring party, with James Wilson as support.
Sean Goss, Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira are other youngsters who will be hoping for a run out as they seek first-team experience and a chance to impress Van Gaal ahead of the season’s start.
The Dutchman’s midfield combination could give an indication of his plans for the upcoming campaign. Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin may not be the first-choice pairing with Michael Carrick still around.
But perhaps the most intriguing element of selection will be Van Gaal’s choice of formation. He tried to implement a three-at-the-back system last pre-season before quickly abandoning that tactic.
United fiddled with several different formations in the 2015-16 campaign and their squad seems imbalanced – heavily stocked with midfielders and light up front – following the new signings.
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